Buyer wants to visit two days before exchange - house in chaos!

[CutesyUserName]

I know this is not unreasonable of them, but we (in theory) exchange this week and complete in two weeks and the house is in absolute uproar.

There is stuff everywhere, cleaning schedule has gone to pot, we've had to leave weeding the garden paths, clearing leaves, etc, until a few days before the move so even the garden is currently looking scruffy.

If we refuse, with a likely sounding excuse, I'm worried they'll hold back exchange. If we agree, I'm worried they'll think what the hell are we buying and either pull out or demand a price reduction for some reason.

Tell me I'm not alone and your 'I had this and it was fine' stories.

Let them come.
They are not likely to jump ship just because the garden is scruffy.

They are only coming to check the roof hasn’t caved in which they will be responsible for after exchange. They shouldn’t care about disarray.

I expect their own house is in a similar state.

You can't really stop them coming without coming across as potentially trying to hide something - it is good advice from their solicitor to view before exchanging contracts.

You can't do anything about the house being chaotic, that is understandable anyway. However, I do think you could have kept on top of weeding the garden path, clearing leaves etc. You will just have to have a quick garden tidy up and maybe a trip to the dump with a boot full of garden waste.

They probably want to check that the boiler works, you haven't ripped up the floors, cut the light wires, stole the radiators and left literally shit everywhere (as the other thread showed peoples past nightmares).

I doubt they care about leaves and your boxed possessions.

Let them come, but be clear with the agent that the house is in chaos due to the move

Just explain the chaos! They will understand, moving house is stressful

If you saw the size of my house and garden with just me to deal with it (and illness), you'd understand the garden is the bit that had to give for now.

I've booked them in, sure it will be fine.

Well obviously I don't know the size of your garden @CutesyUserName or that you are on your own to deal with it or that you are ill. But I would be disappointed if I viewed a house just before Exchange to find that the weeds had been allowed to grow since the offer was accepted.

Wouldn't pull out over it though so I agree it will be fine.

Let them come but leave a very visible to do list where they will definitely see it. That way even if they are thinking you have let things go they will be able to see that everything is noted, under control and will be sorted.

It's common to view just before exchange - once exchange they're legally tied in so it makes sense to check the house is as described.

My buyers viewed the day before with stuff everywhere - after 5 mins they were happy and left. We completed the week after.

Your house move isn't formally on until you exchange, so I would make sure the property was in at least a good state up to that point.

I wouldn't care too much about the untidyness.

Just be clear and warn in advance that it’s chaos and more importantly reassure them that the house will be in a clear and tidy state when you leave.

OP we did this because there were so many things to check when we bought our house (it is quite old and needed ALOT of work). It was mainly so we could line up workmen for when we moved in without having a delay - and to make sure the house was safe (we discovered a gas leak about 2 weeks before competition so it was very useful).

Thanks everyone. I've agreed to the visit - they are lovely people so hopefully all will be well.

Solicitors usually advise a visit before exchange. Far riskier to deny the visit - just caveat with 'oh sorry for the mess we're getting sorted for the move'.

You must have known they'd want to come the day before exchange.