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Original poster

Buyers want access to measure up

153 replies

CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 14:34

Hi there, I’m not sure what is acceptable when it comes to selling our property.

We have sale agreed and are going through the legal aspects of the sale.

2 things that have come up:

  • the buyer wanted our email to contact us directly if they have any questions
  • the buyer wants access “for a couple of hours” to measure up and show it off to their families.

My partner doesn’t mind this. But I do. They have have had 2 viewings, one of which was after the sale agreed.

They have DP’s email and did ask him directly a 2nd time to see the property the week we are packing up. Even though we said no to the agent already.They want the couple of hours the week we are packing up, and also juggling WFH.

We are moving out and the property and it will be left vacant for maybe 2 months.
DP suggested we give them access after we leave, but I don’t want them knowing it’s vacant. Am I being unfair? Does anyone have any experience?

Note we are not nearby once we leave, so we can only rely on agent to manage access.

any advice? Is it ok to let them in? Am I being mean saying no?

OP posts:
Ellie1015 · 10/11/2022 15:57

Yanbu. A couple of hours?!?! That is not something i would do.

Measuring up, absolutely. And if they asked nicely i might agree to a realtive who wont be in area again to come along, for quick look. Definitely for a couple of hours of visitors!!

Good news is they sound keen and excited, but do not feel obligated to have their family over for 2 hours.

CrotchetyQuaver · 10/11/2022 16:00

I'd let them in, they will know you're packing up so it's going to be untidy compared to the earlier viewings.

Currently clearing my late parents house for a pre Christmas move. Our buyers did this and brought along their relations. I didn't see the issue and wouldn't if it was my home as we'd want to do the same

Chesterdrawsseriously · 10/11/2022 16:00

Op did you buy another house to get excited about, excited about making your home?

gogohmm · 10/11/2022 16:07

It's normal to have access closer to completion to measure up

ThatsNotMyMuffin · 10/11/2022 16:09

Yabu I think. Nobody's going round the initial viewing with a measuring tape. For example in the house were buying we need to get a new bed and new wardrobes and would need to measure things up to make sure they fit. The wait for those things can be weeks so as a buyer I wouldn't want to be ordering them on the day of completion.

Secondly, if they live far from family then it's fair enough to show them round. They might be visiting at that point in the year so it would be the only chance to see the new house for months.

It's such a huge investment I'm surprised you're not being more accomodating.

gogohmm · 10/11/2022 16:10

I took my dad to see my house, he's my builder too! But was only 30 mins ... that's the compromise

donttellmehesalive · 10/11/2022 16:10

I exchanged mobile numbers with my buyer and it was very useful in the final weeks when we were trying to exchange.

She also asked to bring family and measure for furniture and curtains - I was happy to allow it.

But you are not under any obligation and can onbviously say no. All I am saying is that the request isn't that unusual.

Alexandernevermind · 10/11/2022 16:19

Its a big purchase for them and sale for you, so I would let them come for a measure up to suit you. I would say yes to one or two family members at the most at the time, but remind them that this is still your family home and to please be respectful. 2 hours is too long and too disruptive to your family. Correspondence by email is good, because you have it in writing. Be clear that there won't be access to bedrooms, as these are private spaces.

Alexandernevermind · 10/11/2022 16:23

My comment was based on the experience of a couple, understandably excited, bringing along both sets of parents, siblings and their grandmother. They had already had the two viewings, the do we like it visit, and the are we sure visit. The sale had been agreed. We thought this was a measure up visit but felt overwhelmed when the entourage turned up.

EllaPaella · 10/11/2022 16:24

I agree with you OP.
Their family can wait until they have moved in to see the house, I find it strange anyone thinks it's okay to bring their family to a house they don't own yet and wander round it while you are still living there. They are obviously very excited to buy your house hit they need to calm down a bit - it's too full on. They don't have long to wait until it's theirs and then the family can visit as much as they like.
They can get measurements from the sale details and absolutely no way would I be giving an email address! Keep it all professional- they can go via solicitor for any questions.

RidingMyBike · 10/11/2022 16:35

Ask the estate agent if they can supervise a two hour visit and see what they say Wink.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/11/2022 16:37

Once you have exchanged, I always think it is almost their house anyway, so I would try hard to be accommodating. I wouldn’t let anyone in unsupervised though ( and I m afraid I wouldn’t rely on the Agent to be there). I always liked to measure up myself, for curtains and to work out where things might go in advance of the moving.

I can’t see why on earth they need two hours, are they planning a picnic?

MmedeGouge · 10/11/2022 16:39

My son was selling his flat recently. At the eleventh hour the buyers asked for a final visit to measure up. My son had consulted his solicitor about the timing of the sale. His solicitor contacted the buyers solicitor and it was agreed the exchange would be in 7 days and the completion the following week. This was about 17 weeks into a very straight forward, chain free sale.
After the buyers had their measuring up visit they withdrew from the sale. They decided the property was not as big as they remembered. My son felt they must have been getting cold feet and the final”measuring up” visit was just to help them make up their minds.
Its probably an unusual scenario though.

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 16:42

They wanted this visit next week at least 7-8 weeks before we exchange or complete.

we explained to them no on the week they wanted. We have instructed them to arrange a time with agent to view house after we leave to do their measurements (still at least 6 weeks before exchange or completion).

They have since responded (it is an emerging situation) and understand about why next week is not an option.

Hopefully they don’t ask to start putting furniture in before they have completed. But surely that wouldn’t happen.

OP posts:
Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 16:43

They were here also about 2 weeks ago for their post sale agreed visit.

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/11/2022 16:44

Just to say about family visits:
one house in England : elderly mother of purchaser, felt a bit sorry for her, she loved the house and told him firmly to buy it for sure.

I did have the whole family ( two adults, three teenage and adult children) round to see our last house in France, because they had been very helpful and pleasant about furniture etc. It was a riot, we all got on very well and we enjoyed the bottle of fizz they brought with them.

we pretended to be out every time the chap and family who bought the first French house asked to come back, because he was a horrible little tyrant who was rude to his wife in front of me.

so it comes down to what is best for you, and what you think of your buyers

Oddieconvert · 10/11/2022 16:49

Oh they’re excited about this huge purchase and new home Op… don’t be mean. I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes BUT at a date and time where I’m out and agent comes with them.

i would never ever EVER have given my email address to them. Brace yourself for lots of “where’s the…” and “how do I…” oat move!

Original poster
CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 10/11/2022 16:50

The timing was inconvenient when they asked. It would have added to a very stressful situation. there is still till the end of January before we complete earliest.

if those emails do come in, We can just block them 😂

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 10/11/2022 16:51

I'd allow the measuring but I'd be unhappy at their family coming round for a look. Measuring doesn't take a couple of hours either.

Alexandernevermind · 10/11/2022 16:57

Hopefully they don’t ask to start putting furniture in before they have completed. But surely that wouldn’t happen. ha ha, mine did. They were very upset that we wouldn't accept delivery of their new sofa!

sevenbyseven · 10/11/2022 17:06

I'd let them visit once you've left and the property is vacant, supervised by the agent. I'd let them liaise with the agent about time and duration - realistically the agent isn't going to be keen to spend two hours with them when the sale is already agreed! Once you're out it's not really your problem.

SpringIntoChaos · 10/11/2022 17:24

Surely the simple solution is for you to do the measuring for them? You have their email address...just measure up and send 🤷‍♀️

IhearyouClemFandango · 10/11/2022 17:28

Out place was completely vacant for ages when we were looking/going through the process. The agents and owners gave us the key code so we could come and go as we wanted to measure up, check things. They trusted us.

What do you think they'll do?

MarthanotMarfa · 10/11/2022 17:31

Learn from my mistake. I said yes to email and access exactly as you describe as I wanted to be warm, friendly, positive etc. they used it as a sort of informal family expert survey and tried to get a discount from the sale price and then pulled out after using our email to negotiate. I was so trusting before this now nothing would surprise me.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 10/11/2022 17:38

I’d suggest they wait until exchange