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Original poster

Anyone else had viewings today?

905 replies

Chanel05 · 20/01/2024 15:39

I had 4 viewings today.

First time buyer, couple that have sold to a first time buyer, a first time buyer and a couple that aren't yet back on the market but they had sold and their sale had fallen through.

Anyone else had viewings today? How did they go?

OP posts:
Inlimboin50s · 01/03/2024 18:37

I'm still on the market! Five viewings when I listed it in November, where someone put in an offer but still had to sell.
Roll on to February with no viewings at all,I've had four this week.

First was by person who put in the offer,but is still trying to sell. She wants it.
Second by a couple about to go on the market. Apparently very keen.

Third by a couple in the village who want bigger but at same price( mine is victorian terrace with on road parking,theres a semi with small drive). Feedback was probably not for them,my home is quite quirky and individual.
Forth by a cash buyer who loved the attic space but thought the kitchen could be too small.
Its exhausting.

Inlimboin50s · 01/03/2024 18:38

Theirs

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 09:19

Had a second viewing booked for an hours time and they just cancelled.

No more viewings booked in. Over this tbh

Petulanticocean · 04/03/2024 10:51

It is exhausting. I’m really sorry your viewing got cancelled and at such short notice. So so rude. People have no idea how tormenting this process is - unless they are going through it themselves.

EvelynKatie · 04/03/2024 11:19

Been on since Jan, only 3 viewings and one of which was a second viewing last week. They want to make an offer, but wanted to do another couple viewings elsewhere first just to be sure.
We viewed a couple places last weekend just in case, although neither tick all of the boxes so unsure. Guess it’s just wait and see still.

BarbaricPeach · 04/03/2024 11:34

We're switching estate agents, I think. Originally we were using agents appointed by the newbuild Help to Sell scheme but we're pulling out of that.

The more I look at the advert that's currently up; the more I think they did a shit job with the pictures. For example, our top bedroom is the entire footprint of the house and it gets one photo that cuts off significant edge space (a whole desk set up and reading corner). Our lounge has a lovely bay window but the photographer stood in the bay to take the picture so it isn't shown and nor is the space in front of it.

Our potential new agent also immediately offered to put us on their books for new houses we might want to view ourselves and mentioned putting a card up in their window. Neither of which the current agent has done.

I'm just annoyed that we've only just realised quite how badly we've been marketed up to now.

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 11:49

@Petulanticocean - thank you. They have just sold their own property so they do get it which is what annoyed me even more. Just trying to take a step back from it all and have a "what will be will be" attitude. As DH keeps saying, we can't make anyone buy our house.

Just feel stuck in limbo really

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 12:41

Had a viewing yesterday and the feedback today is they loved the house and it ticked the majority of their boxes. However, they are FTBs and would only want to stay for 3 years before moving on so they want somewhere they can make money on.

This is a new build so doesn't require any work so obviously they would need to look at older properties which they could improve. But nope, they are only looking at new builds. This whole process is draining

AllTheChaos · 04/03/2024 12:46

That’s really bad, @BarbaricPeach. Plus, if a window isn’t shown when it’s clearly on the layout, especially an important one like a bay window, I would worry that it’s damaged / rotting etc.

BarbaricPeach · 04/03/2024 13:33

AllTheChaos · 04/03/2024 12:46

That’s really bad, @BarbaricPeach. Plus, if a window isn’t shown when it’s clearly on the layout, especially an important one like a bay window, I would worry that it’s damaged / rotting etc.

Ugh, I hadn't even thought of that! It's a four year old house so I don't think people would assume anything that sinister, but you're right that it looks suspicious to not show it at all.

They basically just took one photo of each of the main rooms. So the entrance space, downstairs loo, the two sets of stairs and the landing aren't in photos either. We have a nook under the second set of stairs that can fit a lot of storage or even a desk in it that also isn't shown. It’s not on the floor plan (due to it being part of the stairs) so it’s an asset no one even knows about! I'm so frustrated now that I'm truly thinking about it.

Our new estate agents have twice as many photos on average for their properties, so fingers crossed that helps.

housethatbuiltme · 04/03/2024 14:57

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 12:41

Had a viewing yesterday and the feedback today is they loved the house and it ticked the majority of their boxes. However, they are FTBs and would only want to stay for 3 years before moving on so they want somewhere they can make money on.

This is a new build so doesn't require any work so obviously they would need to look at older properties which they could improve. But nope, they are only looking at new builds. This whole process is draining

I never understand that, I think people have been naively misguided over the years with this 'property ladder' crap.

In the old days you bought a house planning for it to be your forever home, maybe you might move later in life or with a big life change but no one bought a house for 'just a few years' to 'make money'.

When I was looking at house the amount of houses bought between 2-5 years ago whose owners where asking DOUBLE what they paid was bat shit. They all kept saying the same that they 'need' that amount to move up but thats not how life works. There houses simply weren't worth that, there is a ceiling price and they aren't owed an upgrade to the next rung.

Houses aren't a 'quick' investment, they can be a good investment but you have to buy low and sit on it for decades not buy high and sell on in 2 years. House prices are currently dropping and could for more than the next 3 years so theres every chance in 3 years they will have lost money no matter where they buy.

CrashyTime · 04/03/2024 14:58

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 12:41

Had a viewing yesterday and the feedback today is they loved the house and it ticked the majority of their boxes. However, they are FTBs and would only want to stay for 3 years before moving on so they want somewhere they can make money on.

This is a new build so doesn't require any work so obviously they would need to look at older properties which they could improve. But nope, they are only looking at new builds. This whole process is draining

"only want to stay for 3 years before moving on so they want somewhere they can make money on."

They sound clueless, unless they made a really low offer?

CrashyTime · 04/03/2024 15:02

housethatbuiltme · 04/03/2024 14:57

I never understand that, I think people have been naively misguided over the years with this 'property ladder' crap.

In the old days you bought a house planning for it to be your forever home, maybe you might move later in life or with a big life change but no one bought a house for 'just a few years' to 'make money'.

When I was looking at house the amount of houses bought between 2-5 years ago whose owners where asking DOUBLE what they paid was bat shit. They all kept saying the same that they 'need' that amount to move up but thats not how life works. There houses simply weren't worth that, there is a ceiling price and they aren't owed an upgrade to the next rung.

Houses aren't a 'quick' investment, they can be a good investment but you have to buy low and sit on it for decades not buy high and sell on in 2 years. House prices are currently dropping and could for more than the next 3 years so theres every chance in 3 years they will have lost money no matter where they buy.

Show quote history

Yes, the "Property Ladder" nonsense was specifically designed to get people out borrowing IMO, it will end in tears for many unfortunately, it was a debt ladder and the bankers really want you to be on it! Property is the most illiquid asset there is, very very difficult to shift in a crash/downturn, but interest rates are the wake up call for people who think they can "double their money".

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 15:10

@housethatbuiltme I agree completely. It's frustrating because these particular viewers are just splurting nonsense. If you want to make money on a house, really, you need money to put in to improve a house, ideally by increasing square footage. To do that currently is extremely expensive.

Also, that's not really possible with new builds. So why are you solely looking at new builds?! Just so bizarre, honestly. We have put our house up for £30ish k less than we wanted because that's the market currently. We are realistic and so do they need to be. Frustrating really

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 15:12

@CrashyTime they didn't make an offer. Just said ticked a lot of their boxes apart from being a house that they could make money on in 3 years of living in it. Therefore they'd be looking for houses they could make money on in that time period, that were also new builds. Either being built currently on 3 years old like ours

BarbaricPeach · 04/03/2024 15:19

@Mover2024 that's so bizarre. I don't know anyone who genuinely makes money on their house in that time frame. The whole point of the ladder is that you end up with equity in your house that can be used alongside your savings, but that's not "making money". It's just not losing it in rent.

We've been in our house four years. If you only count the selling price then yes, we'll probably have "made money". Even then, the house has only gone up 5% in four years, which is hardly an amazing return!

And then when you factor in the money we've spent on it to make it functional (wardrobes, loft boarding, bathroom renovations, landscaping), we've certainly not made money at all!

CrashyTime · 04/03/2024 15:42

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 15:10

@housethatbuiltme I agree completely. It's frustrating because these particular viewers are just splurting nonsense. If you want to make money on a house, really, you need money to put in to improve a house, ideally by increasing square footage. To do that currently is extremely expensive.

Also, that's not really possible with new builds. So why are you solely looking at new builds?! Just so bizarre, honestly. We have put our house up for £30ish k less than we wanted because that's the market currently. We are realistic and so do they need to be. Frustrating really

My feeling is that maybe they were making a sarcastic reference to the asking price. Either way they will struggle to make money on property now, their best bet would be to wait until prices drop further then view.

CrashyTime · 04/03/2024 15:45

Mover2024 · 04/03/2024 15:12

@CrashyTime they didn't make an offer. Just said ticked a lot of their boxes apart from being a house that they could make money on in 3 years of living in it. Therefore they'd be looking for houses they could make money on in that time period, that were also new builds. Either being built currently on 3 years old like ours

They are either clowns that have swallowed all the property show B.S over the years, or they are prepping you for a low offer down the line, either way they are just going to waste your time. Even if they bought a wreck somewhere the cost of materials and trades now would make it unlikely that they would even break even IMO.

CrashyTime · 04/03/2024 15:52

BarbaricPeach · 04/03/2024 15:19

@Mover2024 that's so bizarre. I don't know anyone who genuinely makes money on their house in that time frame. The whole point of the ladder is that you end up with equity in your house that can be used alongside your savings, but that's not "making money". It's just not losing it in rent.

We've been in our house four years. If you only count the selling price then yes, we'll probably have "made money". Even then, the house has only gone up 5% in four years, which is hardly an amazing return!

And then when you factor in the money we've spent on it to make it functional (wardrobes, loft boarding, bathroom renovations, landscaping), we've certainly not made money at all!

The whole point of "the ladder" was to get people borrowing more and more for basic shelter so bankers could buy great big shelters in elite areas and still have plenty of change, if the cost of borrowing goes up or prices crash the equity starts to disappear, it isn`t like a bank account where you can instantly get your money back.

housethatbuiltme · 04/03/2024 17:52

Just been to the solicitors to pick up the papers and as a dyslexic this is going to be fun, it like 40+ pages of wall to wall text.

Just pages and pages of stuff to read and sign and do. I have to prove who I am in multiple different ways and thats just from skimming over a few of the pages.

I'm not even sure I can prove who I am to the extent they want.

I need to provide 2 IDs only 1 can be a valid passport OR drivers license the second has to be from a different list which includes: 'gun license', 'mortgage agreement', 'A new (less than 3 month old) credit card', 'council tax bill' etc... I don't have any of them.

Council tax is in my DH name, I'm a cash buyer, I have never owned a gun, no credit card or want of one etc...

Plus I also then have to send proof of name because I have used more than 1 in my lifetime (devorced parents so changed 20 years ago which I have no proof of and I'm married even though I don't go by DH surname) so my birth certificate and marriage certificate and a deed poll.

The EA was happy with just drivers license and (out of date) passport. Just all seem unnecessarily OTT, I have the money to buy the house, they want to sell so why do I need to give 3 forms of ID.

Its a professional solicitors thats been around ages, good reviews and I'm doing it all in person (not over the internet) otherwise I would swear they where just trying to steal my identity.

Twiglets1 · 04/03/2024 17:59

housethatbuiltme · 04/03/2024 17:52

Just been to the solicitors to pick up the papers and as a dyslexic this is going to be fun, it like 40+ pages of wall to wall text.

Just pages and pages of stuff to read and sign and do. I have to prove who I am in multiple different ways and thats just from skimming over a few of the pages.

I'm not even sure I can prove who I am to the extent they want.

I need to provide 2 IDs only 1 can be a valid passport OR drivers license the second has to be from a different list which includes: 'gun license', 'mortgage agreement', 'A new (less than 3 month old) credit card', 'council tax bill' etc... I don't have any of them.

Council tax is in my DH name, I'm a cash buyer, I have never owned a gun, no credit card or want of one etc...

Plus I also then have to send proof of name because I have used more than 1 in my lifetime (devorced parents so changed 20 years ago which I have no proof of and I'm married even though I don't go by DH surname) so my birth certificate and marriage certificate and a deed poll.

The EA was happy with just drivers license and (out of date) passport. Just all seem unnecessarily OTT, I have the money to buy the house, they want to sell so why do I need to give 3 forms of ID.

Its a professional solicitors thats been around ages, good reviews and I'm doing it all in person (not over the internet) otherwise I would swear they where just trying to steal my identity.

You can normally use a utility bill or your bank account for proof of id.

BG2015 · 04/03/2024 18:24

I had the same. It's a bit over the top like you say.

I found the forms quite overwhelming and I had to keep them separate as I'm selling and buying so different forms for each. They've taken me 2 weeks to fill in and gather all the correct documentation.

I took them to my solicitors on Friday.

Now we have surveys and valuations booked in, so it's all moving forward.

AllTheChaos · 05/03/2024 06:22

Don’t, @housethatbuiltme. A couple of properties ago, my passport ran out part way through the buying process due to umpteen delays. I ended up having to pay through the nose for an emergency extra fast passport renewal in order to be able to complete on time, as the solicitor turned around and said they’d no longer accept it! These days I don’t know if that would even be possible given the delays at the passport office!

AllTheChaos · 05/03/2024 06:25

And like others, whilst on paper I have ‘made money’ on each property I’ve owned, by the time the cost of works on them are factored in (most were fixer-uppers when that was cheaper to do), plus stamp duty, legal fees for buying / selling, estate agent selling fees etc etc, frankly I’ve been lucky if I’ve broken even. It’s just better than renting is all in terms of security and having an asset at the end of it (hopefully!)

Mover2024 · 08/03/2024 16:48

An update! We had a viewing on Wednesday and then a second viewing this morning and we have now received our first offer! 2% over asking and we are happy to accept.

Only issue... they go on the market next week so need to wait for them to sell. Our EA has advised us not to accept until they've sold which makes sense. Just wish they were proceedable so we could just accept!