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The Sale Is Pending, and the Buyer’s Repeated Walkthrough Requests Are Becoming a Problem

Selling a home comes with plenty of work, especially as the closing date approaches and the sellers pack. One couple preparing to move into their next house has run into an unexpected issue: their buyer has already visited once and now wants to come back for another look.

The sellers aren’t sure whether they should agree to the request or explain that they need their weekends to finish moving. They turned to an online real estate community to ask how others would handle the situation.

Selling a home
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The buyer stopped by while they were packing

The couple expects to close on their house in a few weeks. They’ve already bought another property and have been spending their weekends packing boxes, moving belongings, and getting the old house ready to hand over.

During one of those weekends, the buyer showed up without arranging a visit in advance. According to the seller, the woman introduced herself, talked about her life and the house for a while, then left.

The visit may have been friendly, but the timing wasn’t ideal. The sellers were trying to get through a long list of moving tasks and didn’t have much free time.

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Now she wants another walkthrough before closing

A few days later, the buyer messaged to ask to visit again that weekend. This would be an extra visit, separate from the final walkthrough scheduled before closing.

The request put the sellers in an awkward position. Their weekends were the only time they could make real progress on packing, and another visit would take time away from those plans.

They weren’t sure whether they could simply say no or whether turning down the request might jeopardize the sale. They even wondered whether they could let the buyer inside while they were away.

The sellers described the buyer as pushy, although they also recognized that she seemed excited about the house. They wanted to be polite, but they didn’t want every request for another visit to disrupt their moving schedule.

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Some thought the buyer was probably planning her move

Several commenters didn’t see anything unusual about wanting another look at a house before closing. The buyer might have wanted to measure rooms, plan furniture placement, or check details before making purchases for the new home.

One commenter, a real estate agent, suggested asking what the buyer needed to do and how long she expected to stay. If she only needed a few measurements, the sellers could offer a brief appointment at a time that didn’t interfere with their packing.

Others agreed that the couple didn’t have to turn down the visit completely. They could suggest another day or time that suited their schedule, rather than automatically agreeing to the buyer’s preferred weekend.

The unannounced visit bothered people more than the request

The buyer’s earlier decision to show up without an appointment bothered some commenters more than her request for another walkthrough. They felt future visits should be arranged through the real estate agents, not by having the buyer arrive whenever she wanted.

Several people also advised the sellers against allowing the buyer into the house alone while they were away. Having an agent accompany her would give everyone a clearer record of the visit and avoid putting the sellers in an uncomfortable position.

One commenter who identified themselves as a broker or agent suggested having both agents present. That would let the buyer look around or take measurements while the sellers continued with their moving plans.

Related: 10 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selling Their House

Others warned that an extra visit could create more stress

Some commenters felt the sellers had little reason to agree to another visit if it would add stress during an already busy time. A few also shared concerns that buyers might return before closing and then raise new questions about the property’s condition or reconsider the purchase.

One person described a past sale in which their buyer requested another visit, supposedly to take measurements, but later sent a cancellation agreement. They admitted they couldn’t say for certain whether the extra visit had anything to do with the buyer backing out.

That experience doesn’t mean this couple’s buyer has the same plans. Still, it shows why some sellers prefer to keep extra visits limited, scheduled, and handled through their agents.

Related: Problems Your Home Inspector May Not Find During a Walkthrough

The sellers may be able to find a middle ground

The couple could ask their real estate agent why the buyer wants another visit and how much time she’ll need. If she only wants to measure a few rooms or plan where her furniture will go, a short appointment may be easier to arrange than giving up an entire weekend.

They could also offer a weekday or another time that fits their schedule, with both agents coordinating the visit. Before agreeing or refusing, they should check their purchase agreement with their agent to confirm what access the buyer is entitled to before closing.

The buyer may be excited to move into her new home, but the sellers still need time to pack and leave. A scheduled visit at an agreed-upon time could give her another look without leaving the couple scrambling to finish their move.

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