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Original poster

Viewings - people not on the market

159 replies

Delatron · 26/01/2026 18:16

Do you accept viewings from people who are not even on the market yet? We have had so many viewings on our house and I’m completely exhausted by the whole thing. At least 75% don’t even have their house on the market. It just seems pointless.

Is it ok to say viewings only from people who at least have their house on the market or don’t need to sell.

OP posts:
PurpleThistle7 · 10/03/2026 18:17

We bought our current house before putting ours up. They accepted our office subject to us selling within 5 weeks. We sold in 4. It had been on the market empty for 6 months already so think they were ready to take a chance.

JustAnotherWhinger · 10/03/2026 18:31

I think this is an issue where the quality of the EA and their knowledge of local markets comes into play.

We were allowed to view without being on the market as the EA knew our house would sell very quickly (we didn’t even make it to open market - EA had 4 people he called to tell we were selling).

Whereas they practically laughed at the idea of BIL viewing unless he could show cash funds because in his area houses are not moving. His has now been up for sale for 11 months.

Original poster
Delatron · 10/03/2026 19:08

We’ve had two couples now who have got to second viewings on ours and like our house - but theirs hasn’t sold. One went on in Nov. The market is so slow my feeling now is that people who haven’t got their house on the market are so far away from being able to put an offer in…

We are not short of viewings so I have to be discerning or I will have a nervous breakdown 😅.

OP posts:
goz · 10/03/2026 19:12

When we recently sold we didn’t, our EA’s stance was that they didn’t do viewings from those with a property to sell without them already having an offer accepted.

However we bought in another area and the agent didn’t even ask our position before viewing.

It really depends on the market you’re selling in.

suburburban · 10/03/2026 19:18

Delatron · 10/03/2026 17:34

Hate time wasters! Think someone complained the hallway was too narrow once. I mean the photos and dimensions are online, it’s a Victorian house…so annoying.

Our house is no show home but equally it’s not a wreck. New kitchen and bathrooms were ten years ago to be fair but we’re not going to replace them as we’re selling. All the feedback we are getting is ‘it’s too much work’. I do think people seem to want pristine show homes these days. I blame instagram!

Show quote history

Yes or a greige house

it is annoying

Papyrophile · 10/03/2026 19:24

DC is a first time buyer, and there is a massive amount for sale in the target area -- but anything that is priced right is going fast. We had several requests for viewings turned down because offers had been accepted in the previous few days. Most seem to be FTBs while many vendors are dumping their BTLs.

Ireolu · 10/03/2026 19:25

I went to view a house last year and we weren't on the market. We were clear with the EA we weren't on the market but were keen to see this one in case it moved the dial on us moving. House in the same area we live in but more bedrooms and bigger garden. We saw it. Didn't love it so didn't offer. The EA is still sending me info re other properties and is still calling me to see houses. Called me last Thursday! These are houses I am not interested in. It may be your agent tbh. The illusion of finding a potential buyer drives them.

Original poster
Delatron · 10/03/2026 19:36

suburburban · 10/03/2026 19:18

Yes or a greige house

it is annoying

Show quote history

Yes it’s as though people can’t even be arsed to pick up a paintbrush. I’ve already had to switch our bedroom colour (which was a gorgeous green) to something more neutral…

OP posts:
Original poster
Delatron · 10/03/2026 19:37

Papyrophile · 10/03/2026 19:24

DC is a first time buyer, and there is a massive amount for sale in the target area -- but anything that is priced right is going fast. We had several requests for viewings turned down because offers had been accepted in the previous few days. Most seem to be FTBs while many vendors are dumping their BTLs.

I do think the next step is to reduce the price to be fair.

OP posts:
LondonLady15 · 10/03/2026 19:49

I was going to say are you in the right price bracket?

ours went on the market mid February and I purposely priced it conservatively (with an offers over price) rather than these ever increasing prices. I had 11 viewings in the first week and it went to full and final offers after 9 days. Sold for 10 grand over asking price.

I asked for viewings to be 30 mins apart so got a few each day. Also only proceedable buyers.
Another tip if you are getting viewings but no offers is to declutter like mad (I put everything in the boot of our cars for viewings, no dog in the house and asks EA to get feedback.
good luck 🤞

Original poster
Delatron · 10/03/2026 19:54

Thanks @LondonLady15 it’s been on since September. The problem is no other houses in this price bracket are selling round here either. We are not in London. But SE market town.

I am going to speak to the agents about reducing the price.

I did do a massive declutter when we first went on - I even hired a skip. I do hide everything dog related for the viewings. And the dog comes out with me. But when you’re on like the 20th viewing and 9 months in - I’m losing the will to live with it all!

OP posts:
tealandteal · 10/03/2026 19:58

I allowed anyone to view our house and did view houses before ours was sold. That meant the day we got an offer, I could make an offer straight away. We did have one vendor not allow us to view as we didn’t have an offer on the house. But if your house is in a desirable area then I don’t see why you wouldn’t make life easy for yourself and ask for proceedable buyers only.

Or you could have an open house day

Original poster
Delatron · 10/03/2026 20:34

Yeah we have said only proceedable buyers only now. We just had so
many people who were so far away from being able to out an offer in.

OP posts:
Tigerbalmshark · 11/03/2026 10:43

How many are proceedable and how many aren’t?

If you have had 25 viewings and no offers, you either have a load of tourists coming for a nose around with no intention of buying, or there’s something up with your house.

I’d definitely say no to the timewasters, but if you have had say 10 serious viewings in four months and no offers then actually maybe you need to look at the price too?

Original poster
Delatron · 11/03/2026 13:56

Tigerbalmshark · 11/03/2026 10:43

How many are proceedable and how many aren’t?

If you have had 25 viewings and no offers, you either have a load of tourists coming for a nose around with no intention of buying, or there’s something up with your house.

I’d definitely say no to the timewasters, but if you have had say 10 serious viewings in four months and no offers then actually maybe you need to look at the price too?

I reckon we had about 6 ish who were serious and in a position to buy.

I’m completely open to dropping the price. Trouble is it’s not like we’ve even had any offers. So it’s hard to know whether the right people just haven’t come along yet or it’s the price. Nothing has shifted in this price bracket for a while rooms here. Cheaper houses are going more quickly as I guess more demand.

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 11/03/2026 16:20

If you are keen on a sale (which it sounds like you are), I think you are mad to decline viewings. By all means insist non proceedable viewings must adjoin another viewing.

I say this as someone who is ready to move, but our house isn't on the market. We won't put it on until we find the home we want to buy, then we will ask the same selling agent to aim to sell ours quickly so they get 2 sales. I appreciate this means we may lose a perfect home but I am more prepared to do that than find a buyer for our home and not have an ideal place to move to.

AmazingGraced · 11/03/2026 17:07

What to do in a situation where you are moving to the other end of the country? That’s my situation. Were going the market very soon. I’m so stressed. The cleaning and decluttering alone is killing me.

Pixiedust1234 · 11/03/2026 18:49

This is an interesting thread. I'm very loathe to put my property up for sale until I've found somewhere else as it has to be a bungalow.

I previously sold very quickly, within a week of going live, and it took me 5 months to find my next home (happened twice due to FTB deciding he wanted to stay with parents). At that point I was looking at detached, semi, and bungalows so quite a vast pool of properties but it still took ages. My biggest "fussy" point was being close to a bus route! The stress of having sold whilst not being able to find another for those five months was horrible.

Greencarrott · 11/03/2026 19:53

Sane here...looking to relocate from Wales to Carlisle .. happy to take a hit on our price as the properties we looking at up there is a lot cheaper....but its just draining having time wasters nosing and not serious about purchasing....they need a different hobby lol

Original poster
Delatron · 11/03/2026 19:57

I guess it highlights how crappy the housing buying and selling process is in this country with chains etc.

Last time we moved we sold our flat then moved in to rental so that when we found our dream home we moved quickly.

Sympathies for those in the same situation. There are lots of time wasters out there. It takes a lot of time and effort to get the house ready for viewings so important to only show to serious buyers.

OP posts:
LindorDoubleChoc · 11/03/2026 20:03

I wouldn't allow it. With all the details available online now, viewers really do have a good idea if the house is going to be of serious interest or not. They can drive by and get a feel for the area. You can answer any questions from interested parties via the agent. But don't exhaust yourself tidying up and having viewings from people who are having a jolly day out or looking for comparables or just going on lots of viewings because they feel they should.

Original poster
Delatron · 11/03/2026 20:19

Thanks @LindorDoubleChoc I do agree that people need to do more research and ask more questions before coming to view.

I find it annoying when people complain about the road we are on. It’s not a main road but we are close to town so there’s normal town/residential traffic. It has never bothered me as part and parcel of living in a town. But so many people moan about it. I wish they would do a drive by before looking around. I know sometimes it’s not possible but if they are local. Basically when they are moaning about things we have no control over.

We also have parking for three cars. One couple complained that there wasn’t enough parking!!

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 11/03/2026 20:41

Be careful with accepting those comments at face value OP. The EA ask for feedback and some won't accept that the viewer just doesn't like the house and have to give reasons. In the end I just said anything to get the EA off the phone eg third bedroom too small. Some EA even tried to argue that actually my "reason" wasn't a good enough reason not to buy 😯

AmazingGraced · 11/03/2026 21:17

Pixiedust1234 · 11/03/2026 18:49

This is an interesting thread. I'm very loathe to put my property up for sale until I've found somewhere else as it has to be a bungalow.

I previously sold very quickly, within a week of going live, and it took me 5 months to find my next home (happened twice due to FTB deciding he wanted to stay with parents). At that point I was looking at detached, semi, and bungalows so quite a vast pool of properties but it still took ages. My biggest "fussy" point was being close to a bus route! The stress of having sold whilst not being able to find another for those five months was horrible.

This is what I dread.

suburburban · 12/03/2026 06:42

Delatron · 11/03/2026 20:19

Thanks @LindorDoubleChoc I do agree that people need to do more research and ask more questions before coming to view.

I find it annoying when people complain about the road we are on. It’s not a main road but we are close to town so there’s normal town/residential traffic. It has never bothered me as part and parcel of living in a town. But so many people moan about it. I wish they would do a drive by before looking around. I know sometimes it’s not possible but if they are local. Basically when they are moaning about things we have no control over.

We also have parking for three cars. One couple complained that there wasn’t enough parking!!

Yes same with us but I think it is just to say something a lot of the time