Can we view this house? How?

[Charmtaste]

We are two weeks away from exchange on a wreck in a very popular town. Nothing else in our price range has come on the market for a year. We will have to spend at least £50k making it habitable.
Today a similar sized property that needs no work has come on the market. It is the wrong side of town but still a nice area. It is only £5k more.
We would really like to view it but it is being sold by the same EA as the property we are buying. Can we view it? How? Will the EA tell our first vendors?

Have you been to see it outside, walked around the area so that you are sure it’s what you want?

You can view it I assume. You just need to consider how you would offer quickly on it in case you might lose both?

I grew up in the town and am now returning after 20 years. I know the area really well as my family still live there.

Worth taking a look then - and be ready to move quickly if you can?

What do you mean by wrong side of town - just inconvenient for commuting or family? Are you getting out off by the realities of renovation?

Wrong side of town meaning near a council estate and worse primary schools but still a lot nicer than the London borough we are moving from.

Do you need good primary schools?

If so I would prioritise that.

I know honesty is the best policy etc but in this instance could you lie and say you’re viewing on behalf of a relative? If you love it, then you can detangle from there. Otherwise I doubt there’ll be much enthusiasm from them to show you, as they’re so close to getting their commission on your first house.

Could you get one of your relatives to book a viewing, and one of you go along for 'moral support' ?

Don't underestimate the cost of building works. Lack of EU labour coupled with transport issues (lack of HGV drivers, custom issues) is really causing budgets to be blown.
Get a relative or friend to arrange a viewing.

Tricky. Even if you book through a relative would the EA recognise you?

Just be honest - if you were to pull out of house 1 and offer on this one, you'd have to be upfront with the EA, so there's no point trying to view it by stealth.

@SquirryTheSquirrel

Just be honest - if you were to pull out of house 1 and offer on this one, you'd have to be upfront with the EA, so there's no point trying to view it by stealth.

No point spooking them for nothing. The house might feel crap inside.

I imagine that this happens a lot and EA are used to it - when people get anxious just before exchange - they need to see something else to confirm that they have made the right choice.

Location, location, location.

You will be eternally grateful for a much better primary school years and years after the dust, drama and disruption of building works have forgotten. If you have offered the correct amount and done your sums right you might well make more money from the renovation in the longer term.

Did you make an appointment to see the house @Charmtaste?