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Original poster

Worst feedback you've got from a viewing?

70 replies

ChickensLoveMarmite · 25/01/2010 13:28

Our estate agent just called to let me know that our viewers on saturday won't be buying our house because a) there would be too much work to do in replacing our bathrooms (house is only ten years old, but they could do with being updated), b) the garden was untidy (this has INCENSED me!! I am a keen gardener, but it's JANUARY! BTW, no junk in the garden, it's just dormant) and c) we have housing association homes behind us. Apart from the garden issue (grrrrr), the other two points are fair enough reasons as to why someone might not buy a house. However, does the estate agent have to call me and just basically say 'Yeah, your house is a bit shit. Bye!'. Its so demoralising, and doesn't actually help (I can hardly move my house, or demolish my neighbours housing association places, can I?) So, cheer me up. Tell me your tales of feedback woe.

OP posts:
Gumbo · 25/01/2010 13:34

Living in a townhouse (ie. 3 storeys). One lot of viewers didn't buy becuase there were 'too many stairs'!

What did they think we'd have - escalators? Lifts? Rope ladders?

Miggsie · 25/01/2010 13:35

Tell him to stop sending pillocks round to view it.

Lulumama · 25/01/2010 13:36

not me, but my late grandmother's apartment is for sale, and someone got to the point of making an offer and 2 weeks later, they pulled out as they didn't want to live on the ground floor. like they'd only just noticed.

Original poster
ChickensLoveMarmite · 25/01/2010 13:40

Ah, yes, the viewers who turn up and haven't actually read the house details. They tend to wander around, and then look all surprised that there isn't a conservatory. A conservatory that they have invented in their own minds, because we have never claimed conservatory ownership, not in person or on paper. Yet still they look for it

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titchy · 25/01/2010 13:44

'They didn't really want to be so close to the neighbours' Errr - it's a mid-terrace, what were they expectng?

Beasknees · 25/01/2010 13:44

my road was too narrow- we've got front gardens on both sides of the road, buses used to go up it, but he was looking for property in an area of my town that is known for it's narrow streets! knob

Original poster
ChickensLoveMarmite · 25/01/2010 13:46

PMSL @ 'too close to the neighbours' and 'too many stairs'

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aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 25/01/2010 13:57

Not a house viewing, but years ago we had a holiday cottage that we rented out via an agency.
We had some very odd feedback

One couple complained that the cottage was called 'Beech Cootage' (large beech tree in the garden) but it was 10 miles from the coast.
They threatened to sue us for misleading them.

bobblehat · 25/01/2010 14:04

When we sold our house we had an offer in considerably under the asking price because it need 'modernising'. The house was 5 years old. Another claimed there wouldn't be enough storage, even though there was built in wardrobe in all 4 bedrooms, an airing cupboard and an understairs cupboard.

spiralqueen · 25/01/2010 14:20

We've had first time buyers who are renting the same size house on the same estate as the one we are selling complain that the house is too small... Did they think owning it would transform it into a tardis?

girlafraid · 25/01/2010 14:27

Viewers coming to look at our flat complained about it being a flat, they wanted a house

So do we, that's why we're moving!!!

FuriousGeorge · 25/01/2010 14:50

This wasn't our house,but when we were buying our first house,the vendors had found another house to move to.We put our offer in,dealt with a lot of nobbishness from them over various stuff and had finally agreed a moving date.We then had a phonecall from the agents saying that ,although the vendors had seen the house they'd like,they hadn't actually viewed it until now and once they'd viewed it,they didn't like it and it wasn't suitable-oh yes,they also wanted to go on holiday the next day,so wouldn't be able to start looking for somewhere to live until they returned.So could we put the moving date back until they had come home and found somewhere else?

We had just given notice on our place,so had no where to go,but we told them if they didn't honour the original date,we were pulling out.
It worked,but before they went,they told our new neighbours top be,that I was a hard faced bitch who wore the trousers in our relationship!

sarah293 · 25/01/2010 14:53

This reply has been deleted

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dilemma456 · 25/01/2010 15:01

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30andLurking · 25/01/2010 15:09

Don't take it personally, people say stupid things because stupid estate agents put them on the spot, and then they write down the stupidity and present it to you as if it's somehow your fault!

We were trying to sell an East London loft and I lost count of the people who complained about 'open plan living' or sloping walls (we were on the top floor, both the photos and details clearly explained that the roofline gave reduced head height in some areas). Honestly, you want a nice square beige box, don't waste my time looking at my BEAUTIFUL, unique, characterful city loft.

noddyholder · 25/01/2010 15:14

We sold one house where dp had a drumkit in the garage.It was just a bog standard garage and the wife of the couple wanted to see planning etc for the 'music room'

NoseyNooNoo · 25/01/2010 15:21

I've told EAs not to report back to me any feedback that could have been found on the estate agents or that I can't do anything about because it just winds me up. I'd rather they came back with hurtful comments such as it's dirty/untidy/dull looking becasue I could alter these.

OP - sorry to hear that dissed your garden. Very few gardens look their best in January, after the snow. I did view a house last month where they had left out photos of the garden in full bloom, which was really helpful.

Hullygully · 25/01/2010 15:26

What 30And said, and also do insist to the agents that they don't waste your time and only send viewers who are aware of those and any other salient points. Specify no property tourists.

cissycharlton · 25/01/2010 15:36

A woman who told me she didn't go in her own garden much, who surveyed the garden from under a tree at dusk said our lovely, south-facing garden was too dark.

Original poster
ChickensLoveMarmite · 25/01/2010 15:41

I suspect that our agent is desperate. We have been on the market since september, and have had around 15 viewings. The feedback has all been 'niggly' IYSWIM (downstairs is too small, not enough parking etc). Nothing specific, or consistent. I think our agent may be literally dragging people in. The property market is at a virtual standstill in this area, and he has to be seen to be doing something. I have specified that only people in a position to move, who understand where the house is and what it consists of, should be allowed to view. It is not going well

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Hullygully · 25/01/2010 15:43

Chickens (did you used to have no lips?), all that being the case and if you are desperate to sell...you know what you have to do ..

pud1 · 25/01/2010 15:44

one guy told my estate agent that they would never buy a house that hass housed a dog

Original poster
ChickensLoveMarmite · 25/01/2010 15:47

I did indeed have no lips, Hully. Chickens still don't, but other peeps kept accusing me of shaving o lips, whatever they may be. We're not desperate to sell, but it would be nice. After all, this place has shit bathrooms, a messy garden and as for the undesirables over the back...

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tearinghairout · 25/01/2010 15:52

aJumpedUpPantryBoy - I love your story about the people who complained about Beech Cottage not being near the beach. I'd have taken great pleasure in explaining ve-e-ry slo-o-wly...

sweetkitty · 25/01/2010 16:12

Oh I had some good ones when our flat in London was up for sale.

One couple thought it was the WHOLE block of 16 flats and were disappointed it was only the one, WTF did they expect for that price?

Another loon of a woman came round and said she wanted a flat with a balcony and a garden (mine had neither) then went on about the area and burnt out cars oh and she paid me a compliment and said "you would never guess you had cats in here it's so fresh!"