Property Viewing Etiquette

Even in a buyers' market, vendors tend to sell to people they like � not always to the person who makes the highest offer.

Following these rules can ensure you make a good impression. At the end of the day, BDI Home Finders UK feels that when you are on a viewing, you are in someone else's home.


How many times can you view a property before you have to put in an offer?

Estate agents have a saying 'third time unlucky', which means that once a buyer comes to view a house for the third time, they are highly unlikely to buy. So if you haven't put in an offer after a second viewing, you are likely to find you get a much cooler reception.



How many people can you bring with you before it looks like you're turning up to a house party?

Ideally, you should turn up just with your partner, or a friend if you are single, for a first viewing. For a second viewing it is acceptable to bring perhaps one more person, but never, ever, more than four.



Is it rude to take a tape measure to a first viewing?

It's not rude, but it's unnecessary. The estate agents' details will include floor plans so you�ll already know the dimensions of each room. Once you've had an offer accepted and want to start measuring up to see if you�ll get your sofa in, then it's fine. In fact it's to be encouraged as it proves to the vendor that you're serious.



What about a camera?

It would be the height of bad manners to walk round someone's home snapping pictures on your mobile phone. The only instance I would say it is OK is if your partner is out of the country and you want them to have a look. But always ask first.



Can making a low offer cause offence?

Yes, if it's not handled in the right way. As a search agent, I would always back up a low offer by saying that it's the top of my clients' budget. If you're going it alone, be prepared to enter into psychological warfare. If you're offering £700,000 on an £800,000 property, you need to back it up by listing what work you'd need to do on the property and what it would cost you.



Is there anything you really mustn't say in front of a vendor?

The very worst thing you can do is say things like 'well we'd have to knock that wall down' and 'if we filled the pond in the garden would look much better'. The vendor is probably very proud of their property the way it is and will not warm to you if you discuss what you want to do to it.



Is it OK to go round and speak to the neighbours before putting in an offer?

It's a bit premature. It would be more usual to do this once you�ve had an offer accepted. You�re better to go and chat up the landlord of the local.



Should you dress up?

I would say aim to look innocuous and don't let your clothes give anything away. You don�t want to look scruffy, but equally, if you look too smart the vendor might assume you've got loads of money and won�t negotiate.


Is it OK to pull back curtains to look for cracks/ tap on the walls/ pull up rugs etc?

This depends on whether the vendor is there. If they are out and you are being shown round by an estate agent then a limited amount of rug-lifting and curtain- twitching is OK � but definitely, not in front of the vendor. It�s a surveyor's job to do all these checks on your behalf once you've had an offer accepted.


If you've got kids, is it OK to take them round with you?

I would advise not to on a first viewing as they can be too distracting. If the vendor has children, then it is OK to bring them on a second viewing, but if the vendor is childless, they may find it a bit of an imposition

Top 10 Property Search Tips

10 Top tips on finding a property from BDI Home Finders' Tracy Kellett

1. You're kidding yourself if you think you are going to secure the home of your dreams purely by signing up to Rightmove.
2. Make an effort to get to know your local estate agents and ensure they see you are a serious buyer by keeping in regular contact. Make the time to get in touch at least every couple of days to see if there is anything new on the market.
3. Be realistic about what you can buy on your budget. Many home hunters waste months searching for the sort of property that will simply never come up in their price bracket.
4. The more flexible you can be, the more chance you have of securing a great property. Think outside the box. Are you restricting the area too much? Does it really have to be Georgian? Could you consider converting a former commercial property?
5. Don't overlook a property purely because of its outside appearance. If a property is on a good road and has everything else going for it, it could still be a good buy. Consider employing the services of an exterior design company or architect to give an ugly property a facelift.
6. Don't waste money on an expensive survey if the house is not that old. Tradespeople will often come and check electrics, plumbing, roof etc for free and at the same time, provide a quote for any repairs or maintenance, which can be a great lever for asking price negotiations.
7. Get a great solicitor in place, who can use email, and is a pragmatic problem-solver.
8. Get your broker sorted early so you know exactly what your budget is and make sure they can move fast when it comes to the time to get a mortgage in place.
9. Be really nice to the vendors and estate agents - people sell to people they like.
10. If you know you are going to be stretched for time, consider appointing a professional home finder.