Seller declining viewings

[borrowdale]

I wasn't really looking to move, but we spotted a house on Rightmove that really appealed. On since at least November last year, two agents' listings, premium listing and featured property, recently reduced twice by 50K each time.... i.e. all the hallmarks of a degree of urgency,

I called one of the agents to arrange a viewing, but the seller has given strict instructions that only people with a house on the market and a buyer lined up can view!

Is that a normal thing to do?

[borrowdale]

gfreeman said:

Your first sentence says it all…

I can see that. But there's a difference between "I want to move house" and "I found a house that I like so I'm moving".

[borrowdale]

Mr Squarekins said:

'I'm a no chain buyer, hello!'

I said we could potentially buy without selling, but the offer would be lower to cover the cost of the finance. Still a no as the number was too low.

Apparently the sellers need to move quickly as they're no longer able to afford the mortgage payments since the interest rates have gone up.

[borrowdale]

_-XXXX-_ said:

Really?! In the days of Rightmove anyone can see what they want, surely? Every house I've purchased has started with viewing online.

The problem (if you're serious) is that the Rightmove pictures usually present an "idealised view" of the property, and less attractive or "problem" areas will be photographed sympathetically or not at all. e.g. in the garden any overlooking windows will be cropped out. In one property I looked at there were no photos of upstairs, which turned out to be because it was in a pitched roofspace which made the rooms unusable by tall people.

I can see how a seller may think you're a timewaster if you view a property and there's a deal-breaker like that which was hidden from the listing.

EAs photographing properties towards the more expensive end of the market seem to have very good rectilinear wide angle lenses now, so that rooms/outdoor areas look large without that distorted "wide angle" look. It can be quite surprising when visiting in person how small it feels in comparison.

Example of the difference - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectilinear_lens#/me...

Edited by borrowdale on Tuesday 14th March 14:30

Edited by borrowdale on Tuesday 14th March 14:32