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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:
Original poster
pinksnowball · 10/05/2021 13:03

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

1 and 4, so it's not ideal! Although in this particular case it's work commitments which are an issue rather than kids.

OP posts:
DinoHat · 10/05/2021 13:08

My DH has bought a house for us before that I’ve not seen until we moved. I trust his judgment. It wasn’t a forever home either.

Roodicus21 · 10/05/2021 13:45

I viewed our current house without DH as we were relocating during Covid and dh couldn't travel due to work. He didn't see the inside until the day we got the keys! I did take a friend with me first time and my parents second time. Luckily he loves it!

wtheck · 10/05/2021 14:42

Ah ok - with 1 and 4 if you can go together you can take turns but if its work then fair enough.

If this were me I'd want to be the one viewing as my DH has no taste at all!

bombis · 10/05/2021 14:49

I did look at houses while dh was at work. I knew instantly that the house we live now is it and dh will love it too. I know his taste and what he likes. I am not sure if it would have worked other way round though.

bananamonkey · 10/05/2021 14:49

We were in a similar market a few years ago, had viewed loads of houses but been outbid or not been quite right. I was in the US for work but a house came on that met our criteria so DH went to view it alone, I trusted that by the point he knew what would work and he put an offer in (obv I saw the RM listing!).

The owner wouldn’t accept it without me seeing it so I was able to go for a second viewing despite missing the open day and we eventually got the house.

Now we also have a 1 and 4 year old so I’m wondering how we will manage viewings!

WorkWorkAngelica · 10/05/2021 15:18

We've just taken our young kids to viewings and nobody has minded. I've always checked beforehand and they've said it's no problem.

In your case I'd either try to view at a separate time, or could you get a virtual viewing? A few places seem to be doing that as an option. Is there a video tour already?

Other than that, if he is the fussy one then yes, I think he needs to view it. It's in the same for us, I'm much less fussy about the house itself, DH is a nightmare.

starfish4 · 10/05/2021 15:23

Let him do the first viewing, if it looks like a possibility, then view as soon as you can yourself, or you could make an offer subject for them to consider subject to you viewing within the next few days.

someonelockthefridgealready · 10/05/2021 15:37

DH viewed our current house (moved in December) as I couldn't get away from work. He made an offer right then as the market was moving so fast! He had a very good idea what I like and we did do a second viewing a couple of days later.

DespairingHomeowner · 11/05/2021 15:41

[quote pinksnowball]@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.[/quote]
NRTFT: I think video call is a good idea.

If I were selling, I might not take your offer as seriously until you had both viewed - would not want to take a house off the market if thought spouse would veto the decision. VC would overcome this issue

Blossomtoes · 11/05/2021 15:51

We did it. We bought in the red hot market of 99, he was away visiting his family when this came on the market and we’d already sold. I viewed and offered asking price, he first saw it a week later.

LopsidedWombat · 11/05/2021 17:58

My DP went to view a place when I was unable to join him and we did a quick video call so I got to see the gist of it. We were happy to proceed but got outbid in the end. Second viewings seem to be a thing of the past at the minute!

AcornCups · 11/05/2021 18:09

We did this but it was almost 21 years ago and we still live in the same house. My work commitments meant I couldn’t make it. We had looked at 20 houses and it was in a road we really wanted to live on. We are about to get new neighbours. Most people buy and stay for years. Two houses will have been for sale this year which is unusual. I know the other house had two serious offers on day one.

missymisses · 11/05/2021 18:15

Bought our house without me viewing. It was during the day, I had work, open house. Offered that evening as houses were going within 24 hours so we couldn't wait. First time I saw it was the day we picked up the keys.

NoSquirrels · 11/05/2021 18:19

@bombis

I did look at houses while dh was at work. I knew instantly that the house we live now is it and dh will love it too. I know his taste and what he likes. I am not sure if it would have worked other way round though.
This was us. We were moving a fair distance and so I did second viewings on houses DH liked which he had first seen alone, but eventually it happened I saw our current house alone and knew it was the one - and happily he trusts me more than I trust him to pick sight unseen! He did come to see it before we exchanged but everything was all in motion by then.
Runnerduck34 · 11/05/2021 18:23

We were in same position so if dc werent at school or nursery i.e weekend viewings they came with us, fortunately it was never a problem, they are well behaved!
However if you are really stuck/covid concerns and dont want to take then then yes one viewing to initially rule it in or out is a good idea, if i was selling a house i would be a bit concerned about accepting an offer if only one partner had seen it as i would think it would increase the chances of them.pulling out!

Loshad · 11/05/2021 18:27

We did for our current house ( working, small kids at that point)
If either of us had time we viewed a property, however the estate agent refused to accept our offer on this house until we had both seen it, so DH had to beg for an evening session that night and they accepted the next day. We have been here 20 years plus so if definitely works if you know you both want/need the same things

Blossomtoes · 11/05/2021 18:29

however the estate agent refused to accept our offer on this house until we had both seen it

Seriously? Maybe the agent realised that I was the decision maker because our offer was accepted immediately.

Chailatteplease · 11/05/2021 18:34

I've just done this for the second time, putting an offer in when DP is away (works abroad). Both offers were accepted too.

Original poster
pinksnowball · 12/05/2021 12:36

Well we did it, offered and got the house!

DH video called me from inside the house and there is a video tour online too, so I’m feeling pretty relaxed about it right now. Perhaps I’ll update in a couple of years on whether it was a good approach or not Grin

OP posts:
Sandrine1982 · 12/05/2021 13:16

For us it was the other way round. I viewed not DH , because I'm the one who's on top of our finances, house research etc, and he's always busy with work. He trusted me and was OK with it ...We put it an offer then both went to see it again a few weeks later....

Mumdiva99 · 12/05/2021 13:41

How exciting @pinksnowball I hope the move goes well.

optimisticpessimist01 · 12/05/2021 17:11

My partner viewed a house for us both and we put an offer in straight after and it was accepted. My partner and I had a clear understanding of what we want in a house and I trust his judgement. I suppose it just depends on if you trust your partner to give a judgement that would be representative of your thoughts too. My parents thought we were crazy but the housing market is so crazy around here it was worth the risk

optimisticpessimist01 · 12/05/2021 17:12

Should've read the second page haha! Congratulations OP, clever idea getting him to video call you- we didn't think of that!

Original poster
pinksnowball · 12/05/2021 18:12

@optimisticpessimist01 I know my parents would think we were mad too if they knew...may have told a small white lie when telling them we'd successfully bid on a house Blush

The video calling was an great idea which we actually got from this thread!

Glad to hear it worked out for you. I'm really glad we did it.

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