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Original poster

Viewing houses- surely everyone does this?

277 replies

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?

OP posts:
HideTheCroissants · 28/09/2022 18:02

whoruntheworldgirls · 28/09/2022 14:04

Never done it and never had it done to me

^this.

queenofthewild · 28/09/2022 18:10

The house next door to us is for sale.

We get the occasional potential buyer dropping round to make conversation. Ask what the road is like, how easy it is to get a space at the local school/doctors etc. and probably to figure out whether the neighbour is nice or not.

They'll never guess I'm a mumsnetter though. I open the door to them.

oakleaffy · 28/09/2022 18:11

Many years ago, looking to get a rescue dog, I called at the wrong house in error.
The neighbour said
“ Oh that big black stray? He’s always getting out and causing trouble, and he wasn’t great with other dogs or people, according to neighbour.

I was directed to the right house, and saw the dog - but the owner who wanted him gone was very selective with the truth!

We found another dog who was much better suited and honestly described.

Johnnysgirl · 28/09/2022 18:21

Fluffluff · 28/09/2022 17:52

Should add that was the reason we didn't buy that house.
The people who we asked said there were noise issues with a neighbour.

They were fairly dumb to tell you that... Who pisses all over a chance to get rid of the arseholes next door? 😂

tranquiltortoise · 28/09/2022 18:22

AnotherAnxiousMess · 28/09/2022 14:44

I wouldn’t do it myself. But if my neighbour was selling and they had a viewer knock on my door who just wanted to ask for an honest opinion on the area and street, I’d happily give it. I think if you’re living in a semi-detached or terraced, you want to know what the neighbours are like.. if they were rude or a bit of a dick, it would 100% put me off buying the house and it would be better to know sooner than later.

Agreed, and I don't think there's anything wrong with asking neighbours what the area is like as long as you do it politely.

I'd be happy to talk to someone who knocked to ask me this.

I would raise an eyebrow if they said they'd got the wrong number though.

Spudlet · 28/09/2022 18:26

I’d be happy to chat (assuming I wasn’t busy) if someone just asked. If someone pretended to have the wrong house, I’d just point them in the right direction and expect that to be the end of it. I’d be a bit annoyed if they carried on chatting after that tbh - they’d feel a bit like time wasters.

VroomVrooom · 28/09/2022 18:29

OP - you didn’t think everyone does this. You know your husband is right, and you know full well you’re the only one who does this.

So you knock on both neighbours’ doors, on either side?

mam0918 · 28/09/2022 18:33

Yeah you're wierd and rude... I don't want randomers coming on my property, knocking on my door and taking up my time with stupidness.

Im juggling two small children and work and its fucking infuriating when Im wrist deep in a shitty nappy and someone come knocking on the door for nonsense. DON'T expect a super polite welcome if you do that.

But then you KNOW its wierd and rude or you wouldnt be lying to these people in the first place. Litrally dozens of people view properties its not our job to answer your questions so you don't have to bother yourself researching.

Stravaig · 28/09/2022 18:40

OP, you are so focused on getting what's best for yourself that you are oblivious to your potential new neighbours also forming a first impression of you - that you are entitled, dishonest and won't hesitate to place your needs above theirs. Do you see why that might be off-putting?

Original poster
Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 18:49

Stravaig · 28/09/2022 18:40

OP, you are so focused on getting what's best for yourself that you are oblivious to your potential new neighbours also forming a first impression of you - that you are entitled, dishonest and won't hesitate to place your needs above theirs. Do you see why that might be off-putting?

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 😂

OP posts:
Regularsizedrudy · 28/09/2022 19:03

How exactly are you deciding if they are problem neighbours in a 30 second conversation? And yeah I would remember a nutter would came to my house pretending to think it was for sale.

scrufffy · 28/09/2022 19:04

@Sophieagain1984 I would remember you and think you're not an honest person or someone I want to be friends with.

arghtriffid · 28/09/2022 19:04

I just tell them I'm thinking of buying and wondered who lived next door.

Original poster
Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 19:12

Regularsizedrudy · 28/09/2022 19:03

How exactly are you deciding if they are problem neighbours in a 30 second conversation? And yeah I would remember a nutter would came to my house pretending to think it was for sale.

Some things are apparent from a 30 second conversation, or even less frankly.

Starting to think this must be an English/not English thing. It’s not actually that big a deal to have someone knock on your door 😭

OP posts:
scrufffy · 28/09/2022 19:13

English / not English? Care to explain? For those of us in the other nations of the United Kingdom?

HaveringWavering · 28/09/2022 19:16

Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 14:53

Interesting how many people mention signs. Where I live (in London) signs have pretty much disappeared- whenever you see one it's actually a sponsored advertisement for a school fete. No houses that are for sale have a sign up. Must be a regional thing.

What are you on about? I live in London (Zone 3, leafy) and there are three for sale signs visible from my front door!

Also, how are you even getting to view houses without the estate agent present?

Original poster
Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 19:17

I’m not British say maybe there’s something I’m not aware of. I’d say it was pretty odd to remember a knock on the door many months later but lots of people on here claim they would 🤷‍♀️

I’m certainly not going to stop doing it and I’m pleased that some others have said they will as a result of this thread. Genuinely think it’s crazy not to!

OP posts:
Benjispruce4 · 28/09/2022 19:19

I do knock on neighbour door but don’t lie about it being the wrong house. I’d just ask about the area and say iWas interested in the house next door.

scrufffy · 28/09/2022 19:20

So you mean British / not British rather than English / not English?

I would absolutely remember the face of someone who knocked my door and spun me a yarn, engaging me in conversation. And I'd think they had judged me when I saw them turning up a few months or weeks later and were duplicitous in approaching me with a lie.

Original poster
Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 19:20

HaveringWavering · 28/09/2022 19:16

What are you on about? I live in London (Zone 3, leafy) and there are three for sale signs visible from my front door!

Also, how are you even getting to view houses without the estate agent present?

Show quote history

Pretty rare where I am, also zone 3. I don’t think any house I’ve viewed has had a sign up. I bet there are many more houses round you that are for sale than the number that have signs.

Just turn up a few minutes early 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Kiplingsroad · 28/09/2022 19:20

It's telling that you have absolutely no ability to reflect on the fact that others are telling you it's rude and entitled and also deceptive. Nope, apparently other people are the problem, and not only that but it's an English/not English thing (wtf).

And yes, I would definitely chat to neighbours when seriously considering buying a house/making an offer, and have done so, but not every house I view.

No, it's not a big deal to have someone knock on your door for a reason, but viewing a house I may or may not buy does not automatically entitle me to pester a complete stranger in their own home.

Kel9n · 28/09/2022 19:21

I would absolutely remember someone who knocked on the door if they bought the property beside me, but also I probably wouldn't think anything of it.

But what can you honestly glean from seeing one person from one household for a few seconds? It sounds like you are profiling tbh. You could meet a very lovely older woman, but it turns out she was babysitting the grandkids and the parents have three asbos. I know you think it's a good idea, but it really gives you so little real information and some of the best people I know don't necessarily present well. If you are planning to buy a house, travel there on a Friday or Saturday evening, have a wander around. Check for smells of weed as well as noise. Check the local news for any disturbances on the street and if you can maybe check how much car insurance or house insurance would be for that postcode? It is a massive purchase and neighbours can make a huge difference to quality of life but giving them a quick once over doesn't really tell you much. Also, even if you have lovely neighbours, they could be selling next year, and who knows who you get. Maybe you will get people chapping on your door to have a bit of a once over.

Original poster
Sophieagain1984 · 28/09/2022 19:23

scrufffy · 28/09/2022 19:20

So you mean British / not British rather than English / not English?

I would absolutely remember the face of someone who knocked my door and spun me a yarn, engaging me in conversation. And I'd think they had judged me when I saw them turning up a few months or weeks later and were duplicitous in approaching me with a lie.

Sorry, I do get that mixed up.

I don’t spin a yarn. I’ve said what I say in an earlier post - “Is this number 5?” Or whatever and they say no and I apologise and go away. It’s really not something to tell the grandchildren about 😂

OP posts:
tigger1001 · 28/09/2022 19:23

You really won't know if they are problem neighbours from a conversation, that's started under false pretences. And yes, you are also giving potential neighbours a bad first impression of you. If you want to knock, at least have the decency to be honest and upfront.

But, put yourself in the neighbours shoes - many houses get lots of viewers - and by the time you knock, you could well be the 10th person who has knocked that day,

Yes it's a massive purchase but there are always big unknowns when it comes to neighbours. They might have moved on by the time you move in, for example.

scrufffy · 28/09/2022 19:25

So if all you're saying is "is this no 57" and they say no and you go away - what does it gain you?