Cannot view house again until after exchange, normal?

[Greenybluetowel]

Offer accepted in May, chain was complete 2 weeks ago. I was waiting on my buyer getting a buyer before asking for another viewing. Called EA yesterday to arrange (same EA as ours) as we would like to measure up and daughter missed viewing as she was working. EA said we cannot view again until after exchange and that there are 2 visits written into the contract between exchange and completion to facilitate this. Is this normal? Having spent hundreds of thousands on a purchase that I made after a 20 minute visit, I didn't think I was being unreasonable?

@10YellowTulips - house is definitely intact as in roof, windows etc. We have been taking our youngest to the park nearby weekly to get him used to the idea.

I think not allowing another viewing is weird.

It's an expensive decision and the vendor ( I assume ) will get quite a lot of money in the bank ) as long as you aren't asking to spend the weekend there I think another viewing is perfectly acceptable . I have never heard of 2 viewings only being written into a contract.

I would ask & indeed insist - if it is for measuring and even if just getting DD to get used to the house - I think that is perfectly acceptable

I have moved 7 times and never been back after making an offer. I must be too trusting!

Until completion!

@Iamsodonewith2020

I have moved 7 times and never been back after making an offer. I must be too trusting!

That's fair enough when the conveyancing process is working to normal timescales.

We bought a house that had been subject to lengthy delays by the vendor and were strongly advised to (& did) check just before exchange, that it was still in the condition we expected. I sold a house v recently in this crazy market and didn't think twice about letting the buyer do a similar check.

Multiple visits never okay. A 2nd visit, or a visit just before exchange is normal and recommended.

Too often people move in and find vendor has made significant changes between the offer and exchange. Viewing before exchange means you can spot these and pull out-re negotiate if required. That is why it is recommended.

Anyone saying they will not allow it, to me indicated that they have done something to the property that you will not like and they don’t want you to know about until it’s too late and you are legally committed because exchange has already happened.

I would return to EA and say (and put in email) that viewing before exchange is recommended and the norm and you would not feel happy exchanging without the opportunity to do so.

@WombatChocolate
I think that is a good plan to get it in an email at least as I just spoke to them so there is actually no record of them denying entry until I'm committed.
I'll do this.

We bought and sold last July - were advised by our solicitor to visit again just before exchange and estate agent perfectly happy and understanding of this. Seller also seemed happy with this.

Our buyer didn’t do this but had a second specialist survey so probably felt she didn’t need to/didn’t want to ask.

We initially viewed and put offer in mid March so about 3 months.

Legally you should visit prior to exchange because once exchange happens it’s legally binding so you need to know the house is in order. I would get very funny about it if I was told I couldn’t visit!
In the letter from our solicitor we were told to ensure property was to our satisfaction since offer was made due to huge time delay between viewing and exchange (5 months)

This thread makes me worry! I'm FTB and thought it would be the norm to visit the property pre exchange if only to do measurement for the furniture. What do I do if the vendor refuses

You don't need to involve the solicitor in viewings.

Just be clear to the EA that you insist on another viewing before exchange, and you won't be exchanging without it. You don't need to explain why you want to view. The ball is in your court here, be firm.

My buyer viewed 5 times before exchange. I'm selling a 1 bed flat! Have to admit I was pretty fed up of it by the final viewing but as I've nothing to hide, I didn't really feel I could say no. That's the part that would make me nervous about your situation, what reason do they have to say no?

I don’t think it is reasonable to expect to go round and let your Dd have a look, tbh. If she was making decisions, I.e is an adult and contributing to cost, then the time for her to look was before you offered.

Even in peak buying frenzy EAs and vendors were allowing a second viewing (and going to Best and Final if several people wanted to offer).

In our area the EA does all viewings because of COVID, and the vendors go out. Though I did go into my new house to measure up, and we let our buyers into ours without EA involvement. Maybe that was after exchange.

I think it would be reasonable to let you in on the cusp of exchange, or after exchange.

@overwork exactly!, That's why I wanted to ask Mumsnetters as my instinct was saying, "what is going on here". I'm obviously selling too through same agent and whilst a request from my buyers would cause a slight sigh at the tidy-up it would be something I'm expecting even though they viewed twice before their offer. I guess I won't get that call now for my house though or it would show that there is no such policy!

@MarianneUnfaithful - but why would the timing of now before exchange, cusp of exchange or exchange matter if its a covid issue? Then i shouldn't be able to view at all.

Don't disagree re daughter as she isn't a decision maker, that is more a nice to have that she has viewed our (her) future home. We had to move quickly in viewing and same day offer in crazy market, no time for 2nd viewings at that point. But I shouldn't even need to give a reason, it should be acceptable for your new buyer to return at least once, like I said I have been expecting that request from my own buyer.

@Iamsodonewith2020

Everyone that is saying it’s a red flag? Have you actually sold very recently? This is the norm here at the moment.

Yes, I moved in May 2021. Our buyers viewed multiple times. We viewed our onward purchase 3 times too.