Page 2 | Second viewing - rude or not?

Gloriasub · 2024-03-03T11:27:54+00:00

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.

Original poster

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 20:46

@Coconutter24 yea that's what I thought too. Can just get professional to come over and check things out and see everything.
But then I was told that I should do a second viewing / final viewing before exchange contracts and to final commit to it.

That's why I am just curious.

But I guess at the end of the day I should do what I feel comfortable with

OP posts:

BarbedButterfly · 03/03/2024 20:46

We wouldn't mind but would mind cupboards etc being opened. Kitchen would be okay but definitely not bathroom or bedroom.

We have just allowed a second viewing and we are tenants but did have to ask them to stop opening drawers. It is our chest of drawers too so not even staying.

Coconutter24 · 03/03/2024 20:50

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 20:46

@Coconutter24 yea that's what I thought too. Can just get professional to come over and check things out and see everything.
But then I was told that I should do a second viewing / final viewing before exchange contracts and to final commit to it.

That's why I am just curious.

But I guess at the end of the day I should do what I feel comfortable with

There’s nothing wrong with a second viewing, it is a big decision after all but I wouldn’t be opening cupboards or anything like that. You could always ask whilst your there what the water pressure is like and the estate agent might show you but I wouldn’t start randomly opening cupboards, turning taps and hobs on

sbplanet · 03/03/2024 20:50

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 20:46

@Coconutter24 yea that's what I thought too. Can just get professional to come over and check things out and see everything.
But then I was told that I should do a second viewing / final viewing before exchange contracts and to final commit to it.

That's why I am just curious.

But I guess at the end of the day I should do what I feel comfortable with

You've told the sellers you want to buy their house. That IS a final commit to it. The only reason for it not to be is if the survey picked up bad things that you didn't want to deal with. If there is any other reason then you should sort these things out before you lead the sellers to believe they have sold.

DuesToTheDirt · 03/03/2024 20:57

I think it's fine to have a second viewing, and to open kitchen drawers etc. I'd say the same for fitted wardrobes too - you're buying them, after all, and if the doors fall off when you touch them you'd want to know.

m00rfarm · 03/03/2024 21:00

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?

Why would you renegotiate price? What a really peculiar thing to come out with!!! You run the risk of them dumping you for another buyer as no contracts have been exchanged and they’ve not spent much money. I’d be wary of someone doing that if I was a seller.

Original poster

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 21:09

@sbplanet the surveyor doesn't do any test on gas, water and electricity.

Does it mean the vendor doesn't need to make sure all these are working properly?

OP posts:

sbplanet · 03/03/2024 21:16

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 21:09

@sbplanet the surveyor doesn't do any test on gas, water and electricity.

Does it mean the vendor doesn't need to make sure all these are working properly?

Yep. Caveat emptor - Buyer beware. That's how it is when buying a house. I'm not sure what you're thinking the problem might be with 'gas, water and electricity'?
Edit: I don't mean to sound 'short' but there are other people involved in this. The sellers are probably relying on you buying their house to move on.
That's why second viewings are normally before an offer. And other viweings might be to measure up for curtains, etc.

Original poster

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 21:24

@sbplanet thanks
I will adjust my expectations then :)

OP posts:

sbplanet · 03/03/2024 21:28

Gloriasub · 03/03/2024 21:24

@sbplanet thanks
I will adjust my expectations then :)

:)
Someone asked if you were a first time buyer. Even if not there are things that seem unclear, whilst there are expected ways of doing things.
Be professional with the big money transaction that buying property is. It's always tricky because people's homes and emotions are often invested.
There is lots of info on the web about the house buying process and the steps involved. But always if in doubt I'd ask my solicitor. The estate agent is working for the seller, so ask them to but be aware of their bias. :)

WallaceinAnderland · 03/03/2024 23:42

Just want to try the tap water - hot water , water pressure, gas hob more

What is the point? You say you are not going to try and renegotiate price so if those things don't work are you going to pull out of the purchase?

Personally I would say it's a lot of stress for the home owner for no good reason.

Aria999 · 03/03/2024 23:44

I think we viewed ours 3 or 4 times. The sellers were out!

We were the only offer in a slow market, I hope they didn't hate us too much...

NewName24 · 03/03/2024 23:59

I think (in normal times) it is normal to do a 2nd viewing before putting the offer in, in the first place - often taking someone with you who knows a bit about building works. At that point, perfectly reasonable to turn on taps / flush toilet / see if shower works / check the hob if this is something you have some unusual worry about.
Then you out in the offer and get to an agreed price.
Then the survey happens, and if it shows up potential expense that you couldn't have seen when you were doing viewing one or viewing two, then you can try to negotiate on price.
After that, no, you can't really. At least, not morally. So why make the vendors clean and tidy their stuff again, and go out of the house for you to do things that aren't actually going to make a difference to the price or to whether you buy or not ?
Now, at exchange is different - a check to see things still are as they were when you looked round, under the guise of asking to measure up re furniture, and also the chance to ask the vendors where the stopcock is / to show you how the central heating works, etc does make a lot of sense. But it doesn't sound like you are there yet ?

BlueMongoose · 04/03/2024 17:04

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.

Once is enough for an offer. A second one to measure up ought not to spook the vendors if it is asked for truthfully and tactfully, as it's really confirming the buyer wants it.
I don't think it's necessary or desirable from either the buyer or the vendors' point of view for a buyer to be there when the survey is being done. Let the surveyor do their job, if they're any good at all they'll be better at dealing with anything suspicious or any tensions with the vendors if left to themselves.

BlueMongoose · 04/03/2024 17:06

NewName24 · 03/03/2024 23:59

I think (in normal times) it is normal to do a 2nd viewing before putting the offer in, in the first place - often taking someone with you who knows a bit about building works. At that point, perfectly reasonable to turn on taps / flush toilet / see if shower works / check the hob if this is something you have some unusual worry about.
Then you out in the offer and get to an agreed price.
Then the survey happens, and if it shows up potential expense that you couldn't have seen when you were doing viewing one or viewing two, then you can try to negotiate on price.
After that, no, you can't really. At least, not morally. So why make the vendors clean and tidy their stuff again, and go out of the house for you to do things that aren't actually going to make a difference to the price or to whether you buy or not ?
Now, at exchange is different - a check to see things still are as they were when you looked round, under the guise of asking to measure up re furniture, and also the chance to ask the vendors where the stopcock is / to show you how the central heating works, etc does make a lot of sense. But it doesn't sound like you are there yet ?

I think quite the reverse.One viewing to make an offer, the second to check details and measure up for curtains and furniture when the deal is arranged after the survey.
Why would you want two before the offer? That sounds weird to me, like the buyer can't make up their mind to even get a survey.

Thedance · 04/03/2024 17:09

A second viewing before you make up your mind is normal and then another viewing to measure etc. but a second viewing after you have made an offer to open cupboard doors etc seems a bit off.

NewName24 · 04/03/2024 17:31

I think quite the reverse.Oneviewing to make an offer, the second to check details and measure up for curtains and furniture when the deal is arranged after the survey.
Why would you want two before the offer? That sounds weird to me, like the buyer can't make up their mind to even get a survey.

Because spending £200K or £300K or whatever the house is going to cost you, is not something that most people do very regularly.
I find it quite odd that anyone would do this after a 10min show round by an EA.

It is a HUGE commitment for all of us - people are taking on loans that they will be paying back for 30, 35 and even 40 years. It makes a HUGE amount of sense to take someone else (preferably someone who is objective and has no emotions involved) back with you to look at what it is you are signing up to for the rest of your lifetime.

DuesToTheDirt · 04/03/2024 22:18

NewName24 · 04/03/2024 17:31

I think quite the reverse.Oneviewing to make an offer, the second to check details and measure up for curtains and furniture when the deal is arranged after the survey.
Why would you want two before the offer? That sounds weird to me, like the buyer can't make up their mind to even get a survey.

Because spending £200K or £300K or whatever the house is going to cost you, is not something that most people do very regularly.
I find it quite odd that anyone would do this after a 10min show round by an EA.

It is a HUGE commitment for all of us - people are taking on loans that they will be paying back for 30, 35 and even 40 years. It makes a HUGE amount of sense to take someone else (preferably someone who is objective and has no emotions involved) back with you to look at what it is you are signing up to for the rest of your lifetime.

Yes, absolutely, it's a massive commitment and I don't see why anyone would think it's rude that the buyer wants to make sure it's right for them, whether that's turning on taps, opening kitchen cupboards or double-checking the room sizes.

Some people must spend more time choosing a set of saucepans than looking over the house they want to buy.

JamMakingWannaBe · 04/03/2024 22:59

In relation to the water pressure, we can change ours depending on how open the stopcock is. Turning on the taps won't necessarily tell you anything.

People are FAR TOO POLITE when house viewing. I helped a friend out when he was viewing flats. I made him, not just peep around the bathroom door, but physically go into the room, close the door, sit on the (closed!) toilet seat and stand in the shower (shoes off) all to check there was room for his knees when sitting on the loo, he could easily reach the toilet paper and the shower riser rail was the right height. (All important in small flats). I opened the oven to check if their cleaning was superficial. I made him lie on the floor in the bedroom to get a feel for the room/space. If there was a loft space, we went in it - we didn't just nod at the loft hatch. Why make an offer if you've not investigated thoroughly? As PP, people spend more time choosing their takeaway meal then they do on a £300k ++ purchase.

sweetpickle2 · 05/03/2024 09:37

Not being rude @JamMakingWannaBe genuinely interested- what difference does the cleanliness of the oven make? Would it honestly stop you from buying a property, or cause you to offer significantly less for it?

Some people are just crap at cleaning their ovens (guilty!) but doesn't mean they're trying to sell you a lemon.

JamMakingWannaBe · 05/03/2024 15:53

Personally, I just think it's a reflection on how well the property has been looked after. I agree, it's not going to change the general value of the property (location, size and condition) but it gives you an insight into whether you might need to vacuum, deep clean or replace the carpets/flooring, whether you are going to have to spend time and energy cleaning 3 inches of grease off the top of kitchen cabinets (been there:done that) or not, and whether small DIY jobs have been fixed, or left to escalate (eg leaks, damp). Deep cleaning and fixing little jobs costs time and money which is a consideration if you have a limited budget and a young family. In my mind, a really manky oven suggests the owner might not recognise other things need cleaned/fixed - plus it's me who has to spend £50 on a professional oven clean.