Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Second viewing - rude or not?

46 replies

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 11:27

Hi, there

We are thinking whether to go for a second viewing. The offer has been accepted. The vendor is living in there. Survey is done.

We would like to arrange a second viewing to see how things are working - like water pressure,gas hob, switches, and etc.

That makes me wonder if it is rude to check things in order... esp I may open drawers/cupboards....

Should I arrange it with the EA so that the vendor is not in there? What happens if the vendor is in there? I actually have the vendor's number as well.

OP posts:
Wolfpa · 03/03/2024 11:38

I don’t think it’s rude, when I sold my last house the buyers had a second viewing to measure up some things.

Rosesanddaisies1 · 03/03/2024 12:15

Definitely arrange via EA. We had two further viewings after offer accepted, the seller was there but she stayed out the way. We went round with a plasterer so he could give a quote

TeenLifeMum · 03/03/2024 12:18

We asked to pop over and measure so we could plan bedroom furniture and which room to put stuff in as well as then show us how to use the alarm and hot tub (checking the bromine levels in the water, not how to get in).

HeddaGarbled · 03/03/2024 12:25

The problem with opening drawers and cupboards is that they may contain personal items. Kitchen cupboards, probably OK, but, if the owner is present, I wouldn’t do it without asking their permission. Bathroom and bedroom cupboards, probably not.

NannySid · 03/03/2024 12:31

No no no this is definitely not rude You are making a BIG decision not buying a new frying pan.Its quite acceptable to have a good look round in every nook and cranny I am sure the owners would be delighted for you to arrange a second visit .Good luck hope it all goes well 👍

Original poster
Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 17:32

Thanks all.

When should I request a second viewing? Before exchange contract? Should I wait for my mortgage first?

Do you renegotiate the agreed price after second viewing??

Can I do another viewing after exchange contact, but before completion?

OP posts:
SometimesIchangemyname · 03/03/2024 17:35

2-3 viewings is normal. Get the purchase moving by arranging mortgage and surveyor so they are confident you are a serious buyer.
Why would you change your offer on 2nd viewing? You may wish to amend offer if the survey shows something unexpected.
Try not to view too close to exchange and completion as they will be in packing disarray.

HeddaGarbled · 03/03/2024 17:45

Do you renegotiate the agreed price after second viewing

No, the only reason you should be renegotiating the agreed price is if the survey identifies any major issues that would cost a lot to fix.

Aviee · 03/03/2024 18:24

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 17:32

Thanks all.

When should I request a second viewing? Before exchange contract? Should I wait for my mortgage first?

Do you renegotiate the agreed price after second viewing??

Can I do another viewing after exchange contact, but before completion?

No don't try and renegotiate unless there's an issue.

I think this is why people are wary of a second viewing, in case people have regrets on offering x price.

sbplanet · 03/03/2024 18:30

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 17:32

Thanks all.

When should I request a second viewing? Before exchange contract? Should I wait for my mortgage first?

Do you renegotiate the agreed price after second viewing??

Can I do another viewing after exchange contact, but before completion?

Do your second viewing as soon as you feel necessary - are you certain you want to buy? Often you'd have a second viewing before you made an offer
Why would you think you can renegotiate an agreed sale price?
I'd imagine you can view as often as the seller is happy for you to. If there are things you need to see but it seems rude, ask the seller to show you.

Justsomethoughts · 03/03/2024 18:37

Are you a FTB? It isn’t rude but it can cause a lot of stress to the seller.
we had this with our buyers who kept coming for viewings after the offer and again between exchange and completion. It was stressful as we were trying to pack our stuff up and I was pregnant so trying to keep the house in a tidy condition was tricky!
and yes as PPs have said it makes sellers worry you’re going to drop your offer price which obviously has implications for the chain if it means sellers can’t afford to go through with their onward purchase.

Justsomethoughts · 03/03/2024 18:38

But yes important to be happy with such a big purchase!

mondaytosunday · 03/03/2024 19:01

You should have viewed it at least twice before making an offer. Then again just before exchange. I'd also try and be there when the survey is being conducted if possible (or an on site meeting afterwards).
It's not really on to start pulling open drawers and cupboards - what do you expect to find? Water pressure is one thing, but a wardrobe door is not.

SausageinaBun · 03/03/2024 19:07

What difference is a second viewing going to make to you? If you find a cupboard is a bit stiff or one light switch doesn't work, what are you going to do?

Original poster
Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 19:11

SausageinaBun · 03/03/2024 19:07

What difference is a second viewing going to make to you? If you find a cupboard is a bit stiff or one light switch doesn't work, what are you going to do?

Just getting the idea of how much more to get things done and how much time for things to be fixed. (But of course I am not talking about the cupboards and switches. More like the pipes, boiler and water tank)

OP posts:
Original poster
Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 19:13

mondaytosunday · 03/03/2024 19:01

You should have viewed it at least twice before making an offer. Then again just before exchange. I'd also try and be there when the survey is being conducted if possible (or an on site meeting afterwards).
It's not really on to start pulling open drawers and cupboards - what do you expect to find? Water pressure is one thing, but a wardrobe door is not.

Was wondering how the compartments are like in there to get the idea of what to put (sounds silly and that can be waited until we move it lol)

But of course we are not digging for anything therefore I am wondering if ppl would actually do that during viewing (for me, I don't. Unless it's a showroom)

OP posts:
JamMakingWannaBe · 03/03/2024 19:19

It's a different purchasing system in Scotland but our seller invited us round to explain how the boiler worked, show where the stopcock is and to offer us furniture - alongside tea and biscuits!

Freddiefan · 03/03/2024 19:23

We were thinking about buying a bungalow and went to view it. The owners had just moved out so I felt it was ok to open a kitchen cupboard. It was awful inside. The owners must have just put new doors on an old kitchen.

TeenyTinyCrocodile · 03/03/2024 20:19

It's not rude and if they don't want you to, it might be a sign that they are going to be a pain in the backside as vendors, later in the process.

Ideally, most of these things would be checked on a first visit, but I understand that first visits can be quick ones, possibly during a weekend of seeing many, or open houses.

dieselKiller · 03/03/2024 20:27

You want to kick people out of their home for an hour (plus impose some stress and cleaning time on them) so that you can open some cupboard doors?

Freddiefan · 03/03/2024 20:30

A second viewing is normal before making such an important decision.

Original poster
Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 20:31

dieselKiller · 03/03/2024 20:27

You want to kick people out of their home for an hour (plus impose some stress and cleaning time on them) so that you can open some cupboard doors?

No no
Just want to try the tap water - hot water , water pressure, gas hob more, but then if possible can check some cupboards compartments

I feel rude to switch on hot water/gas hob with or without the vendor being there as it's not my house afterall.

OP posts:
dieselKiller · 03/03/2024 20:35

Are you getting a survey done?

As others have said, a house purchase is a big decision and a second viewing is normal, but it does impose on the owners so you should make sure that you’re going there for good reasons and that you get all your questions answered with one visit.

Original poster
Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 20:38

dieselKiller · 03/03/2024 20:35

Are you getting a survey done?

As others have said, a house purchase is a big decision and a second viewing is normal, but it does impose on the owners so you should make sure that you’re going there for good reasons and that you get all your questions answered with one visit.

Yes it's done
Gas/oil, water, electricity are required to be checked - surveyor didn't check the water pressure though.
They mainly focus on the structural issues of course. Therefore I do feel like going back to check on those things to get myself prepared.

OP posts:
Coconutter24 · 03/03/2024 20:42

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 20:31

No no
Just want to try the tap water - hot water , water pressure, gas hob more, but then if possible can check some cupboards compartments

I feel rude to switch on hot water/gas hob with or without the vendor being there as it's not my house afterall.

Show quote history

If you feel rude then you know it’s probably rude. You figure everything out once you own the house. We had our buyer call round the day before we handed keys over to ask if they could look where the meters were and a Quick Look around. We told him no we were trying to move furniture and clean. He could look at things like that the next day when he owned the house.