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Original poster

Only one partner viewing house - is this mad?

50 replies

pinksnowball · 10/05/2021 11:17

We're under offer but struggling to find somewhere to buy at the moment and making time for viewings is so hard with two DC and both of us working.

I tend to care more about area and location whereas DH is more picky about the house. We are wondering if it would be totally crazy for him to view a property on his own and decide whether or not to make an offer on that basis.

There's one house in particular which we like but scheduling a viewing at a time which is convenient for both of us is proving tricky and in worried it will sell before we both have a chance to view. I've seen it from the outside - I know that I love the road and area, and am happy with the floor plan and pictures but obviously I know they can misrepresent reality!

Has anyone done something similar or is this totally mad?

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 10/05/2021 11:21

Why not let him go to make an assessment, then book a second viewing for both if he's happy?

Falifornia · 10/05/2021 11:22

DH was on his Stag Do when a house we were interested in came onto the market. By the time he came home, the offer was in Grin. TBF, we had discussed what we'd do if it came on whilst he was away. (It was a probate sale so we had an inkling of timings).

We arranged a second viewing when he got back.

Bathshebahardy · 10/05/2021 11:25

It is quite common for one person to do a viewing and, if they like it, arrange a second viewing as a couple.
If you really want to move, you will have to find a way of rearranging work and/or childcare to do viewings.

Original poster
pinksnowball · 10/05/2021 11:32

The market is moving so fast in this particular area that I think it will be under offer before we have time for a second viewing unfortunately.

We've been arranging childcare and rescheduling work commitments wherever we possibly can but it's been weeks of house hunting now and still no luck.

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 10/05/2021 11:33

Do it. I viewed on my own. It was really easy to discount houses that we wouldn't like. This property i knew we would offer on before my husband saw it. And i would have offered if he couldn't get in for a second viewing. As you say a lot of it is about the road, location and area.

AndWhat · 10/05/2021 11:36

Most of our viewings we went as a family in the car, one of us would go in and when they came out the other would go in. Obviously asking whoever was doing the viewing on the day if that was ok.
Alternatively one go and video call whilst you’re inside.

Original poster
pinksnowball · 10/05/2021 11:42

@andwhat we've done that a couple of times but it won't work this time unfortunately. Video calling is a good idea though, I wonder if that might work.

OP posts:
thelightishere · 10/05/2021 11:46

Our buyers bought after only the DH viewed it Grin

oldwhyno · 10/05/2021 11:47

if you're in broad agreement about the kind of thing you're looking for, or at least have an understanding of what your partner would/wouldn't go for, then it makes complete sense to do solo viewings. But mainly to rule places out, I'd still want both of us to view before making an offer.

OneKeyAtATime · 10/05/2021 11:49

View it separately?

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 10/05/2021 11:51

We sold to a couple who did this as one partner was away. Received multiple offers on the first day of viewing including one from them. We asked for best offers and chose this couple as they had strongest case/position for buying. Partner came back to visit once home and all went smoothly.

SalaciousCrumble · 10/05/2021 11:51

Yes DH viewed our last house and offered. I viewed a week or so later after it had been accepted. We knew the rough area and it was a fixer upper so the finish wasn't very important. It was a great house and a good investment too. The only downside was knowing we were buying a house but having to wait to see it for a few days!

Wafflewombat · 10/05/2021 11:53

Yep, I bought a house without DH seeing it. I was up having a job interview, so it made sense. Made the estate agent nervous but we'd already completed missives when DH visited & it was fine.

UCOinanOCG · 10/05/2021 11:55

When we bought our current house only me and DD1 viewed it. It was very sought after and DH had no time to view before offering.

My DD1 and her partner are about to exchange on a house that they didn't view at all before putting in an offer. Her DPs mum lives nearby and viewed it for them. They have seen it now that restrictions have eased a bit and thankfully loved it!

Bufferingkisses · 10/05/2021 12:05

We've just offered on a house that neither of us have seen. We know the house, location, build type etc as we have had this type of house in this area for most of our adult lives - we really want this one and we know it will go fast. The estate agent is holding things up because they are too busy so, offer is in. This would be the second time we have bought this way. The first one went without a hitch.

So long as you both know the other person's absolute no points it should be fine. Video call is a good idea.

Lockdowndramaqueen · 10/05/2021 12:09

I viewed alone and then we offered to secure and went back for second viewing post offer with dp. Think this is quite a common scenario esp when the market is moving a as quickly as it is right now.

Weenurse · 10/05/2021 12:11

Bought our current flat and DH did not see it until we were doing the final inspection before picking up the keys.
Did video a previous walk through with RA consent.
He is happy with the choice.

Callywalls · 10/05/2021 12:20

I've bought 2 houses without my dh viewing either of them. First time he couldn't accompany me due to work commitments, 2nd time due to illness. On both occasions we had driven past the houses numerous times together, had a good look at the area and he'd studied them on Rightmove. I knew him well enough to know whether he'd like the house I was viewing and he trusts my opinion. Although, with the 2nd house he was so ill he couldn't really care less what I bought. He was happy in both houses and thought I'd chosen well. Also, what helped after viewing alone first time and really liking the house, was taking my dm and dsis with me for 2nd viewings, just to get someone else's input on the property.

mobear · 10/05/2021 12:21

I would do it. The only thing my OH cared about was the direction and size of the garden. I didn't, but I think I could have easily made a decision on my own, as long as it had a South or South West facing garden of a certain size.

999Alex · 10/05/2021 12:25

Can u take the kids (not ideal I know) but if there is no alternative.

GroggyLegs · 10/05/2021 12:27

It's fine, let DH view it, get the offer in & book a second viewing ASAP.

If you absolutely hate it at the second viewing (sounds unlikely) you can withdraw the offer. I know that's not ideal but in your circumstances I'm not sure what choice you have.

FWIW I viewed our current house alone initially.

wtheck · 10/05/2021 12:29

How old are the kids?
Can't you just leave them in the car?

BowserJr · 10/05/2021 12:31

I wouldn't do it if I was buying.

We did it once when we were renting. TBF, it was a needs must situation, we needed to take this house really and didn't have much choice. DH saw the house and I didn't. We both ended up hating the house.

Andthenanothercupoftea · 10/05/2021 12:36

We had a viewing where the man came and had his wife on a video call. She then came for a follow up viewing.
Could you book viewings relatively close together e.g. consecutive days? Worth explaining to the estate agent as well, you can't be the first person to have this issue.

theemmadilemma · 10/05/2021 12:37

We had the same issue. I trusted DP to view the house alone. If he had though one was a go, he would have face timed me from there to show me and go through things.

As it happened we found the house on the one time we were both together, but I trusted he knew what I wanted enough.