Page 10 | Viewing houses- surely everyone does this?

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 28/09/2022 21:35

Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 18:49

The chances of someone remembering a person who knocked on the door, said "Is this number 3? Oh sorry!" four months later are remote, to say the least 😂

But it's also a weird MN thing that someone knocking on your door is some sort of great imposition or trauma. Most people really don't see it like that. I probably have 10 knocks on the door a day, 5 minutes later I couldn't pick the person who knocked out of a line up. Genuinely don't get why anyone would give it a second's thought.

I can understand the people who say they knock on the door and say honestly that they're thinking of buying the house next door- fair play. But those of you who don't even do that are INSANE. It's the biggest purchase of your life and problem neighbours make people's lives an absolute misery. Why wouldn't you try to find out as much as you can? I can only assume you all live in enormous houses and can barely see your neighbours so don't mind too much, but if you live in a small London terrace then having a party house or a crack den or eight barking rottweilers next door is really hellish. Honestly, you'd have to be completely mad to worry more about some minor social faux pas 😂

Show quote history

OP: 'Are you number 3?'

Number 4:' No.' closes door...

Yeah that's going to give you a GREAT idea of what your potential new neighbour is like! FFS

@Sophieagain1984

But it's also a weird MN thing that someone knocking on your door is some sort of great imposition.

For some people it IS. You don't get to decide or dictate what is and what isn't an imposition or a nuisance. I work from home, and have a busy life, and someone calling on me pretending they got the wrong house, and starting to grill me on the neighbourhood and if there's any issues with the house next door, can fuck off frankly. As I said earlier, when it's knocking on for 10 or so sets of people who have done it, it IS a fucking 'imposition!'

allboysherebutme · 28/09/2022 22:38

I would knock but wouldn't lie, I'd say just wanted to ask is it a nice area, is the street nice and quiet ect. X

Cam22 · 29/09/2022 13:10

OP:

Nope. That is a weird thing to do.

Chubbymummyof2 · 29/09/2022 17:45

Really strange behaviour and highly judgmental to make a decision based on how someone answers their door!

mapofeasterireland · 29/09/2022 17:50

I knock on the door and say ‘hi I’m buying the house next door. Just wanted to check in with you and find out about the road.”Yeah they probably think it’s weird but could save you ALOT of bother for very little effort

Yogalola · 29/09/2022 17:50

bought and sold many times, never done this. Remember vendor has to declare if they’ve had any issues with neighbours. If you don’t like the look of the surrounding area don’t buy

Chichiboo · 29/09/2022 17:59

Never had it done and never done it but not a bad idea lol

Winnipeg23 · 29/09/2022 18:21

Sit outside nearby in the evening or at various points through the day to see who is around. Or if there's a dog that doesn't stop barking or a neighbor who pounds out music or a bunch of people hanging around. Get the feel. Having said that I don't think I've ever done it! You just get a feel I think. Nice area? Not nice area. Etc etc

Bekstar · 29/09/2022 18:30

I'd do it but wouldn't pretend I'd got wrong house, I'd just be straight up.and introduce myself and say I was thinking about buying the house next door and did they know anything about the property, internet access in the area etc. Although I'm renting I did do that when we were considering renting the one we are in. Neighbours were quite nice at the time and I wouldn't hesitate to be open and honest with someone who was buying near us if they knocked. Although I defo wouldn't fall for the wrong number thing.

StillNotGrownUpat57 · 29/09/2022 18:42

MufasaWasMurdered · 28/09/2022 14:53

Never done that myself, but sounds like a good idea.
My husband always said to look at the neighbours' gardens and/or windows to see if the gardens were well kept, if there were proper curtains/blinds up (i.e. not a bedsheet or something) as it gave an indication as to what they were like.

One house we looked at, the current tenants were still there and showed us around. We were able to ask them about the neighbours. Luckily, they were honest and said the neighbours were the reason they were moving as they were causing a lot of hassle for them (noise, intimidation, pets scaring their kids etc).

Maybe that was just the tenant's ploy to stop the landlord selling?

ocelot1 · 29/09/2022 18:53

When I went for second or third/final viewing I knocked on next door house. they had also bought their house from the same person (who lived on the other side of mine). so it was useful to hear about the state of that row of houses and also if they had any problems. I also wanted to know who I'd be living next door to!! but this was when I was already sure I wanted the house. I think not being honest on first viewing is probably not the best start if they do become your neighbour LOL!

Kittysummer · 29/09/2022 18:54

I think it’s a great idea. When we looked at ours a woman came out next door but one and said our adjoining neighbour was horrible. We still moved in but she was wonderful and the next door but one was a fruit loop!

Mollymoostoo · 29/09/2022 18:55

Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 14:06

Ah, maybe DH is right then 😭

Very few houses for sale have signs up round here.

I have done it and my mum did. I was upfront and said I was thinking of buying the house and asked what the local schools were like.
We also had people knock on our door, but the house prices are eye watering where we are so we expect it.

niugboo · 29/09/2022 19:07

If you knocked on my neighbours door you would meet a lovely lady in her 40’s. With an immaculate hallway.

You would not meet her angry alcoholic husband or her son who in his early 20’s has opted for drug use.

Its pointless. All you will learn is your own inclination to make snap judgments.

Thisgroupneverceasestoamazeme · 29/09/2022 19:12

I’ve seen it recommended as in ‘knock on the door and ask neighbours about the area’ as well as had a surveyor knock on the house next door to one we planned to buy…good job he did as they confirmed his suspicion that the drains were collapsing and the house would need to be underpinned!

R0BYN · 29/09/2022 19:14

Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 14:01

We're house hunting. Whenever I view a house, I always knock on the door of the next door neighbour, pretending I've got the wrong house- I like to know what the neighbour is like and sometimes they even give you useful info.

DH says no one else does this and it's weird. WDYT?

I view houses as part of my job and no I’d never do that. How very annoying for the poor neighbours, to have dozens of people knocking their door.

fastandthecurious1 · 29/09/2022 19:19

Yes I spoke to our new neighbours before we bought as I wanted to know what they were like first glance and know about more about the area!

MagsR2356 · 29/09/2022 19:34

No never! and never would have crossed my mind to do so!

Toomuchtrouble4me · 29/09/2022 19:49

Never

Waxwing23 · 29/09/2022 20:11

I think the wrong hosue pretext is a bit odd/unneccessary... but I ALWAYS knock on the neighbour(s), say I'm interested in the house and ask them to tell me a bit more about the area... whilst sussing out if they look like trouble!

Icantfindmykeys · 29/09/2022 20:26

Brilliant idea!

DarthTater3 · 29/09/2022 20:26

We’ve chatted to neighbours before when viewing houses. - just if they happen to be out on the street. But if you’re gonna knock on their doors I’m not sure why you feel the need to lie about it. Why not just tell them the truth?!

TigerLilly33 · 29/09/2022 21:00

I’ve never done it but I think it’s genius and will be giving it a go when I’m next house hunting

Grrrrdarling · 29/09/2022 21:31

Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 14:01

We're house hunting. Whenever I view a house, I always knock on the door of the next door neighbour, pretending I've got the wrong house- I like to know what the neighbour is like and sometimes they even give you useful info.

DH says no one else does this and it's weird. WDYT?

Personal choice but easier to just pop a post on a local Facebook page or Google local area details for crime & ASB etc.

VroomVrooom · 29/09/2022 21:31

It’s hardly ‘genius’ - it’s a mildly 🤷🏻‍♀️ idea, if you feel you can make a snap judgment based on someone’s class / race / age / religion.