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Original poster

Viewings. Sellers in or out

61 replies

user1485851222 · 21/09/2024 09:45

What's your opinion on house viewings. Estate agent showing potential buyers around, is it a problem if the home owner is in the property at the time of viewing, albeit out of the way. On hand if they have any questions.

OP posts:
LightBulbMome · 21/09/2024 09:46

Ive found it difficult to have a proper look round with the sellers hovering. If I’ve got questions then would rather relay via the estate agent.

DrRiverSong · 21/09/2024 09:46

I prefer to be shown by the owner. The agent viewings we had were useless as they couldn’t answer anything.

Original poster
user1485851222 · 21/09/2024 09:54

DrRiverSong · 21/09/2024 09:46

I prefer to be shown by the owner. The agent viewings we had were useless as they couldn’t answer anything.

I'm trying to sell at the moment. I stay out the way and just answer questions if asked, I have noticed EA doesn't remember some details, so then asks me to answer.

1 couple very interested and are "thinking" about making an offer, but thought I was keen to sell, so wondered if something was up with house..... isn't everyone who is trying to see keen....

OP posts:
ingkir · 21/09/2024 10:06

LightBulbMome · 21/09/2024 09:46

Ive found it difficult to have a proper look round with the sellers hovering. If I’ve got questions then would rather relay via the estate agent.

This.

KievLoverTwo · 21/09/2024 10:07

I prefer talking to the owners. Things I have been told by owners at viewings: there are problems with the septic tank and it needs completely replacing, there is a wife beater two doors down, the area in front of the house is an accident black spot (last incident was two lorries), she bought it for so little because it was a tax dodge buying it from her mum, the neighbour isn’t very friendly and kicks off whenever their guests park out the front, the basement has been tanked (which is lovely in the short term, 12 yrs later you and your neighbours will all have rising damp), that they are waiting for someone to die on one particular estate so they can buy a bungalow there and only there. These are all key points which informed my decision making and I would never, ever get them from an EA.

Original poster
user1485851222 · 21/09/2024 10:13

KievLoverTwo · 21/09/2024 10:07

I prefer talking to the owners. Things I have been told by owners at viewings: there are problems with the septic tank and it needs completely replacing, there is a wife beater two doors down, the area in front of the house is an accident black spot (last incident was two lorries), she bought it for so little because it was a tax dodge buying it from her mum, the neighbour isn’t very friendly and kicks off whenever their guests park out the front, the basement has been tanked (which is lovely in the short term, 12 yrs later you and your neighbours will all have rising damp), that they are waiting for someone to die on one particular estate so they can buy a bungalow there and only there. These are all key points which informed my decision making and I would never, ever get them from an EA.

Good to know lol

OP posts:
Candleabra · 21/09/2024 10:16

I'm trying to sell at the moment. I stay out the way and just answer questions if asked, I have noticed EA doesn't remember some details, so then asks me to answer.

Then you need a better estate agent. The ones who conduct the viewings usually charge more but they generally WANT to do the view wings themselves so they can sell your properly. It’s what you’re paying them for. What was their marketing plan when you signed up? Are you tied into a contract?

Gamergirl86 · 21/09/2024 10:16

The house we're buying now was shown to us by the owner. She told us all the stories about the house (it's listed) then sat us down for a cup.of tea and a biscuit while she gave us all the village gossip.

We made an offer the next day.

Original poster
user1485851222 · 21/09/2024 10:24

Candleabra · 21/09/2024 10:16

I'm trying to sell at the moment. I stay out the way and just answer questions if asked, I have noticed EA doesn't remember some details, so then asks me to answer.

Then you need a better estate agent. The ones who conduct the viewings usually charge more but they generally WANT to do the view wings themselves so they can sell your properly. It’s what you’re paying them for. What was their marketing plan when you signed up? Are you tied into a contract?

They show viewers around, if they aren't available I do the viewings on my own. Our viewings have taken anything from 15 mins to an hour. This estate agent is better than the previous ones we had, so we changed to them.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1485851222 · 21/09/2024 10:25

Gamergirl86 · 21/09/2024 10:16

The house we're buying now was shown to us by the owner. She told us all the stories about the house (it's listed) then sat us down for a cup.of tea and a biscuit while she gave us all the village gossip.

We made an offer the next day.

I don't hover, like you I welcome them. In fact one viewer has now become a new friend, didn't buy our house, but I've recommended builders etc re the one they did buy.

OP posts:
Dasherandprancer · 21/09/2024 10:41

I have done 3 viewings with owners there.

  1. were in the garden having a cuppa so there if I have questions but nit in the way or off putting The other 2 were very different. The 2) had no estate agent to show round so showed us. It was a weird vibe with them going on about how they will replace the kitchen tap, when tbh the whole kitchen was coking ti the end of its life. If the tap was putting me off, then surely the need to rib out the whole kitchen would..... made it hard for us to have conversations around what we would want to do to the house/areas to budget to re-furb.

The 3) the worst. The couple were there. Had clearly not tidied up or cleaned, as in a nearly broke my neck on the stairs with their dirty laundry basket and dirty knickers on the floor. Essentially from my questioning the estate agents, the owners were separating and as such didn't really want to sell but neitger could afford to buy the other out. Ohh and I couldn't view the outbuilding/studio because she was working and had a client...

From my experience if there, be out of the way, very out of the way. A good estate agent should know the answers to the common questions anyway and if they don't, question your choice of estate agent. I also take most answers from sellers with a pinch of salt.... you are hardly going to go ahh yes the boiler was replaced 5 years ago by a complete cowboy or yes the noise from the pub 3 streets over is terrible and why we are moving, you find another reason to tell me.

MoreIcedLattePlease · 21/09/2024 10:47

We're in the process of buying our first house and viewed several before making our offer. The house we viewed with the seller in was by far the worst experience! I know it's inconvenient to have to leave all the time, but I didn't feel I could properly look at the house or the rooms in the occupied house: especially because the children were alone in their bedrooms!!

Also, if you want honest feedback: don't be there. People are polite enough not to say 'it's filthy' or 'the work you've done is clearly bodged' to your face, but they'll say it to the agent, who can then feed back to you diplomatically.

JustFrustrated · 21/09/2024 10:51

I've had both recently.

The one I'm buying was just the owner showing me around and I loved it. She had grown up there, even been born in that house. And it made it so. . . Exactly right.

One I had both, and the estate agent was in the way and actually I'm helping the vendor yet out of his contract with them (avoid smooth sale at allllll costs)

One just the EA, lovely house but he didn't even know if it had cleared probate. .

So mixed bag really. I do advise staying out the way and being ready for questions when needed. With my favourite one, she left us to wander round and then did a walk through and told us what she'd do if she was keeping it on

ifonly4 · 21/09/2024 10:52

I guess I'd rather view without owners being present, but if they can't go out then no problem - nice if they'd be able to give us a few mins on our own to discuss in private though.

NewFriendlyLadybird · 21/09/2024 12:22

KievLoverTwo · 21/09/2024 10:07

I prefer talking to the owners. Things I have been told by owners at viewings: there are problems with the septic tank and it needs completely replacing, there is a wife beater two doors down, the area in front of the house is an accident black spot (last incident was two lorries), she bought it for so little because it was a tax dodge buying it from her mum, the neighbour isn’t very friendly and kicks off whenever their guests park out the front, the basement has been tanked (which is lovely in the short term, 12 yrs later you and your neighbours will all have rising damp), that they are waiting for someone to die on one particular estate so they can buy a bungalow there and only there. These are all key points which informed my decision making and I would never, ever get them from an EA.

Wow. I’m impressed that you got all that from people who wanted to sell. Are you a detective or journalist? I feel you may be missing your calling if not.

Twiglets1 · 21/09/2024 12:34

I think when the owners are in the house it can feel awkward plus they may blurt something out they shouldn’t.

I always leave my property when selling & leave it up to the experts to sell it, the EAs. Any questions can be answered after the viewing.

jamtarty · 21/09/2024 13:07

We hated doing viewings with the owners there. It stopped us feeling able to look properly. Just no.

jamtarty · 21/09/2024 13:08

Also, we were happy to spend viewings looking at the house and then relay questions to the owners via the estate agents.

sonofrageandlove · 21/09/2024 13:58

I would prefer the owners to be there but sitting away in the garden or somewhere that I don’t feel hovered over. But available for questions if needed.

unsync · 21/09/2024 14:26

I used to take the dog out and just check the door cam to see when I could go back. I did have a very good EA though. Most detailed questions were answered post viewing via email.

fiorentina · 21/09/2024 14:35

Prefer the owners out, so I can be honest with an estate agent and if the house needs work we can discuss options etc. It’s awkward having the home owner hovering nearby. If we are seriously interested a second viewing with them there is fine.

KievLoverTwo · 21/09/2024 14:56

NewFriendlyLadybird · 21/09/2024 12:22

Wow. I’m impressed that you got all that from people who wanted to sell. Are you a detective or journalist? I feel you may be missing your calling if not.

Show quote history

I think I am just very direct and maybe catch owners on the hop! So they mostly respond with honesty. But the seller who bought the house from her mum to avoid inheritance tax had already had people ask her why she bought it so recently for so little money, so she volunteered the information.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 21/09/2024 15:18

First viewing agent, second if it gets to that owner.

IsadoraQuagmire · 21/09/2024 15:21

Id always prefer the owner to be there. Estate agents can't answer most of the questions I want to ask.

Original poster
user1485851222 · 21/09/2024 15:55

Seems to be an even for and against

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