Rubbish Renovations

[justfiveminutes]

Another morning of trawling round viewings where the houses have been so shoddily renovated that I can't believe they have the audacity to market them. If everything I can see is shoddy, I'm not going to believe that you did a thorough job of the pipework or the rewiring.

Favourite moments - a house where every single door handle and cupboard knob fell off in my hand, the house where the shower fell off the wall when I turned it on and the house where there was no space for a fridge but 'you could plug one in upstairs.' Nothing against genuine vendors but these greedy, grasping bastards really don't deserve to make a profit from anybody.

The problem is that even if you're unwilling to buy these properties, others probably will. For as long as demand outstrips supply these shoddy renovation jobs will sell.

On the majority of viewings people wont test showers, pull cupboard door knobs etc so buyers wont even necessarily be aware of such issues until they own the home.

I know you're right. There was a family going straight in after me. Anyone who doesn't check such things before parting with half a million quid is a fool imo. All just designed to look good in a photo, but that's all.

On the majority of viewings people wont test showers, pull cupboard door knobs etc

This. There’s no way I’d turn a shower on at a first viewing.

It was an empty house, unfurnished, no-one living there, why not?

Favourite moments - a house where every single door handle and cupboard knob fell off in my hand, the house where the shower fell off the wall when I turned it on

I wouldn't turn on a shower but I've opened kitchen cupboards etc. I've seen people on here comment that it's really nosy and you shouldn't do that, but if it's fitted (kitchen, wardrobes etc) and is coming with the house, then opening them is the best way to see the quality and condition of them. I opened a kitchen drawer one time at a viewing and it just about collapsed.

No space for a fridge though - ludicrous. What morons plan a kitchen with no space for a fridge?

You are supposed to buy a house without checking if the shower works?

I always check that the showers work and the pressure is up to scratch - probably wouldn't if the vendor was there. If I like the house and think I might offer, I check everything that's coming with the house, especially in the current market when it could be sold before you can arrange a second viewing.

Why wouldn’t you check things? You spend less on a car and would certainly take it for a test drive first - to make sure stuff works, like brakes etc. A house costs a damn sight more! So yes, check everything you can (and get a surveyor!).

You should always turn onto taps to check water pressure, not so bothered about the shower as easy to replace but water pressure can't be changed

No, but I wouldn’t check it on a first viewing. 🤷‍♀️

First viewing is all you may get to decide wether to a) make an offer and b) how much to offer. If you are lucky enough to even get a viewing. So it’s check then or possibly live to regret it.

Offers can be withdrawn after subsequent viewings. 🤷‍♀️

Yes they can - if you can get subsequent viewings. But it’s a waste of valuable time and money going around making offers on everything thing you see, and hoping you can get back in for another viewing, then possibly revoking an accepted offer. Plus you soon get yourself a name as an idiot with estate agents. Much easier to have a quick poke around instead on first viewing. That’s the whole point of the initial viewing - otherwise you may as well do away with viewing in person entirely and make it all view-by-video instead. - and how many horror stories have we all read about people who’ve bought property without making a proper, in person, viewing first?!
You can tell a lot about a building by a good nosey around on first viewing and then deciding wether to proceed with an offer based on that.

Iirc when we viewed houses, DH used to tap the walls, I was never quite sure why

You do wonder how some house sellers are so complacent. Viewed one recently that had a mouse trap clearly visible 🥴

Me too Twiglet. I've seen mouse traps, dehumidifiers and all sorts of things that indicate a problem. Also surprised at piles of mess and clutter, people who cook fish just before you arrive etc. I put a lot of effort into readying my house to sell, and presenting it for viewings. Maybe in the current market people don't have to put in any effort to sell. Or maybe they have tidied up and it's usually worse!

Are these mousetraps in the house, we have them in the outbuildings and greenhouse which is quite a way from the house and I wouldn't remove them if I was selling the house as I would expect to see mice there anyway, they have to live somewhere.

In the house, yes. Entirely expected in outhouses.