Open day(free for all)
Discussion
Me and the Mrs and just starting to look for our 1st property together and yesterday we went to our 1st viewing which was a 3 bedroom semi in Basingstoke, we'd originally seen the property online and it was being marketed by Purple Bricks whom I think are just an online only agent.
We had a 1pm appointment at the property and were quite surprised at the sight that greeted us when we turned up at the house, there was a queue of people (8-10 people) waiting outside to get in and there was a constant flow of people leaving the property as people were being ushered in after having they're names ticked of an A4 sheet of paper which was choc a block with names, as we entered the property we said to the guy about the amount of people who were here and he said it was quiet now compared to earlier on.
Anyway once we entered the property and our footwear removed, we tried to have a look around the house as best we could, but with so many people in the house it was really hard as people were either constantly in the way or I was moving out of other people's way. In the end the house wasn't for us anyway, so we left, the guy from the agent did let us know on the way out that if we were to make an offer that it would have to be a "best & final offer" and be made my midday on Monday, now even if I was interested in the property I don't think I'd have liked to be rushed into making a "best & final offer" in such a short space of time without having had the benefit of a good view of the property without a house full of people being there.
On the other side of the coin, we were going to do a food shop and just popped into a estate agents next to the supermarket, they have a house which we really like the look off but which is also only available to view on an open day next Saturday from 10am-12 midday, we explained about the open day we'd just come from and he said it would be nothing like that, we will get a 30 minute viewing time and we will be the only people there, which is how it should be imo.
We just can't understand how people are expected to make such big financial decisions on the back of walking around a crowded house, or am I just feeling a bit bullied by being a 1st time buyer??
We had a 1pm appointment at the property and were quite surprised at the sight that greeted us when we turned up at the house, there was a queue of people (8-10 people) waiting outside to get in and there was a constant flow of people leaving the property as people were being ushered in after having they're names ticked of an A4 sheet of paper which was choc a block with names, as we entered the property we said to the guy about the amount of people who were here and he said it was quiet now compared to earlier on.
Anyway once we entered the property and our footwear removed, we tried to have a look around the house as best we could, but with so many people in the house it was really hard as people were either constantly in the way or I was moving out of other people's way. In the end the house wasn't for us anyway, so we left, the guy from the agent did let us know on the way out that if we were to make an offer that it would have to be a "best & final offer" and be made my midday on Monday, now even if I was interested in the property I don't think I'd have liked to be rushed into making a "best & final offer" in such a short space of time without having had the benefit of a good view of the property without a house full of people being there.
On the other side of the coin, we were going to do a food shop and just popped into a estate agents next to the supermarket, they have a house which we really like the look off but which is also only available to view on an open day next Saturday from 10am-12 midday, we explained about the open day we'd just come from and he said it would be nothing like that, we will get a 30 minute viewing time and we will be the only people there, which is how it should be imo.
We just can't understand how people are expected to make such big financial decisions on the back of walking around a crowded house, or am I just feeling a bit bullied by being a 1st time buyer??
a4cabrio said:
We just can't understand how people are expected to make such big financial decisions on the back of walking around a crowded house, or am I just feeling a bit bullied by being a 1st time buyer??
Commission based salesman wants to get you to commit.As a 1st time buyer you are in a very strong position compared to others who will have a chain.
Do not make a decision until you are certain that you have found the right house.
I would be expecting to see the house several times.
I guess that's the state of the market. The other side of the coin is, if you don't make a quick decision, you could lose out on a dream house.
I rented a flat in London for a year a couple of years ago and this was typical. Anything online had already been let, so you'd wait for the call from the agent to say they had a new instruction. You'd then literally go to view flats with 6 other people and be prepared to say I'll take it there and then otherwise you'd lose it.
Good times for estate agents I guess.
I rented a flat in London for a year a couple of years ago and this was typical. Anything online had already been let, so you'd wait for the call from the agent to say they had a new instruction. You'd then literally go to view flats with 6 other people and be prepared to say I'll take it there and then otherwise you'd lose it.
Good times for estate agents I guess.
Gingerbread Man said:
Recently viewed a few rentals in Oz. 2 bed places. They have open days every other week or so. Ten minutes for all interested to look around and make their mind up. Offers then put in and you wait to here back.
Yup, makes it quite easy for a rental, you just plan your Saturday to visit all the ones you want to see.As for it happening in the UK, I've been to a few viewings where there have been multiple people viewing at the same time, it does make it difficult to see the house. The last one we viewed came on to the market in October and is still on the market. Clearly they're asking too much.
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