House viewings

[mayastern]

We are currently in the process of preparing our house for sale. It will be going up next month.

We have seen a couple of properties that we want to view. We know that when the market is much better than it currently is, you can't view until your house is up for sale/under offer.

Does anyone know if that is still the case? Some friends seem to think not as people are struggling to sell currently.

Just for some background info, our house will likely sell quickly. Our neighbour sold in 2 days a couple of months ago. A very desirable area, close to an excellent school and train station etc etc

Even in the height of post Covid craziness we were able to view houses without having ours on the market. Just because an interested party has an offer on their house it doesn’t mean their sale isn’t going to fall through so a lot of sellers are sensible and have all interested parties to view the property.

@sD236 yeah it doesn't really make sense. Someone may not have been planning to love but the. See the perfect house and decide to. I'm going to try and book some soon so we shall see

Ours is going on the market next week and we've offered on a property (first one rejected as too low, waiting to hear back on our second offer). They've had little interest and no other offers, and it's been on since July, and they're in no rush to move as they've already purchased another home. It depends on the seller for offers but I don't think you can't go and view if you're interested

Its definitely worth talking to the EA and explaining the situation.

My neighbour looked at a property in November, fell in love with it and put hers on the market straight away. She sold fairly quickly ( had to reduce price but negotiated the new property down) so yes it can be done!

I don't know what it means that this thread has repeated a few times on MN, lately.

Just say you want to view, the worst they can say is no. If they do say no, plead a bit, say you think you will sell quickly, etc. I can't seeing most sellers refusing, unless you are a serial viewer not buyer. Even if a potential buyer's house is on the market, or even selling, chains can be difficult.

We saw a house yesterday. Ours is not (yet) on the market so it’s definitely possible.

Going against the grain but I sold my house in 2 days and instructed my EA to only offer viewings to buyers who could proceed.

There are so many people who just want 'a look' and I didn't have time for time wasters.

We looked at houses just before Christmas and last weekend and our house only went on the market today.

Our house was our third home ie we had progressed up the ladder over the years

The buyers were first time buyers ( must have been left a load of money) so no - not all viewers will have sold etc You may get the left field first timers
Good Luck with your sale

Gosh things have changed since we last did any house hunting. There might be multiple reasons why you’d be looking to buy but not have your house on the market at the exact time of viewing.

Maybe that the markets changed?

Thanks everyone. Hoping we will be fine to book viewings. Our EA is advising we go up just after half term so will wait until then

We had a second viewing on a property today. Made a provisional offer, not heard back but I know they won’t accept until ours is under offer.….ours isn’t on the market yet, hoping to be on a quick turnaround!

I have bought 2 houses in the last 2 years-at different ends of the country.

At no point with multiple agents was I asked if I had a house to sell.

With 1 they asked for proof of funds with the offer (last and final bids) and the other they asked for proof of funds after accepting the offer.

A provisional offer isnt an offer- what were you expecting to hear?

I should probably add that one of the houses we want to see has been up since September. That may make them more amenable to a viewing

When we were taking viewings we only took people that had their house on the market. It was so much effort preparing the house each time for people who if they did like the house wouldn’t be in a position to do anything straight away as their house was nowhere near market ready. We only started looking seriously once we got an offer because we viewed 1 house at the start of the process fell in love but not in a position to do anything as house hadn’t sold and then the house we loved went so we waited till we was in a position to be able to buy

Then ask your agent to set up a couple of "open inspection" slots where anyone can come to view, all of them at the same time. Then your time isn't being "wasted".

It's the standard here in Australia, you leave your name and number at the door. If you want to make an offer THEN they take more details.

@OrderOfTheKookaburra

I don't need to as I said I sold in 2 days! On my terms.

We’ve been on for a week now. So far two viewings, two no shows and a cancellation.

Supposed to have a viewing later today but the estate agent has rang twice and left messages as I’ve told them I want them to confirm before I get my house ready.

What is everyone else’s experiences? Am I unreasonable to be pissed off with the time wasters/estate agent for not verifying people will actually turn up. Feeling very frustrated and disheartened with this whole process already 😢

It's a lovely flat with outside space. The lease is a long one and service charges/ground rent on a par with many London flats.
I suspect lack of viewings is that most people are on holiday.
Not sure about price, you may have to reduce it, I'm afraid.