Vendor is refusing us a second viewing

[Elasticatedwaist]

Nearly ready to exchange on a house that is being sold by a man on behalf of his elderly mother who is now in a care home, so has been empty the whole time.
We initially asked him if we could go in a few days before moving day to clean it as there’s mould due to being empty for ages but he refused.
We’ve asked to view again before the exchange of contracts and the estate agent has said that he won’t allow any more viewings. We’ve been in it once for 10 minutes . Wtf ?

It’s crazy but in the current market it’s pretty typical to buy after one short viewing.

I wonder if he’s anxious about you looking into the mould further.

This might backfire on you, but in your shoes I would argue that unless you get to see the property before you exchange contracts then you won't be exchanging at all. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the house, but if he is trying to hide something then it's better to be safe than sorry. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Most sellers allow a second visit before exchange for measuring etc. Its very weird that he won't permit a second visit.

I agree with the orevious poster. I'd make exchange conditional on a pre check.

My thoughts were why wouldn’t he allow it . I mean, surely it’s no skin off his nose because he won’t even be there. It can’t be the mould as weve already had the damp specialist in at the start and know what we’re dealing with there.
We have just arranged for our buyer to view ours again.

It’s one thing to want a quick viewing, it’s a different matter if you want to go in and give it a good cleaning before you actually own it.

Going into view I can’t see an issue with. Going into clean I can - say you caused some damage with a cleaning product and then pulled out.

At the end of the day it’s up to you! If it was a bit of a bargain refusing to exchange until you’ve seen it could really backfire.

Does he have to come a long way to show you in, or do the agents have the key
Can you look in the windows on the quiet

We accepted his refusal to let us clean it, even though it’s being left in a state and he has signed to say the property will be left clean and tidy.
We just want to go in and measure up. A quick visit and check before we pay up !
I cannot see any logical reason why he’s say no.
The estate agent has the key. He wouldn’t have to do anything at all.

@Soontobe60

It’s one thing to want a quick viewing, it’s a different matter if you want to go in and give it a good cleaning before you actually own it.

Well maybe he should be giving it a good clean!

Bloody hell, all these vendors who expect buyers to hand over hundreds of thousands of pounds without checking that nothing has changed since you first viewed it, or allowing measuring up viewings etc.

I would get your solicitor to say “all ready to press go on the exchange as soon as my client has been sable to check that the property is still in the condition it was in on viewing xx months ago. My client would like to be assured that the vendor will leave the property cleaned. If this is not possible the buyer is prepared to undertake cleaning themselves once Exchange has taken place “

Totally agree @TheChemicalMother - I think sellers are downright unreasonable

I was advised to go and view my new house for a second time before signing contracts etc by my solicitor.
I would get in touch with them tomorrow and get to go via sellers sols and arrange that way.

He is probably just an awkward character but there’s a small chance that something is afoot. I’d make a second viewing a condition of exchange.

I’d also be insisting that he cleans it or arranges a deep clean before you complete. You could offer to organise it, with the cost knocked off the purchase price.

@JustYourAverageSue

This might backfire on you, but in your shoes I would argue that unless you get to see the property before you exchange contracts then you won't be exchanging at all. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the house, but if he is trying to hide something then it's better to be safe than sorry. 🤷🏻‍♀️

This

Second viewing or pull out

I’d call
His bluff and say you won’t exchange unless you can view

I wouldn’t buy unless I could view before exchange.

He is obviously hiding something. Pull out.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/thirty_days_only/4459527-Help-WWYD-Vender-refusing-pre-exchange-viewing

Our solicitor insisted on pre exchange viewings- this is because sales are taking over six months so house conditions can change significantly in that time frame

Might be the agent not wanting to take you. Having worked in a fair few, the commission from your sale is almost in the bank, but spending time selling the next one is more important.

Therefore, definite I need to view before exchange and then I'd ask when the professional clean is happening.

Ask through your solicitor so the agent isn't passing requests on without putting the request forward in the best light.

@Shadowboy

Our solicitor insisted on pre exchange viewings- this is because sales are taking over six months so house conditions can change significantly in that time frame

Your solicitor can’t insist on anything. They can offer you advice and you choose whether or not to take it.

@drpet49

I wouldn’t buy unless I could view before exchange.

He is obviously hiding something. Pull out.

Same here I would honestly think something was drastically wrong

It's only from MN that I found out some people don't do a pre exchange viewing.

It was only from mumsnet that I found out that some people DO do a pre exchange viewing! We never have!