Viewing a house - what to ask and look for

timnicebutdim_2

Think the advice given so far is spot on. Just to add, some of the questions could be asked on the 2nd viewing once you have a shortlist of places you like. You can always do some digging yourself like;

- Searching online planning applications for the address and surrounding areas
- Googling the address or road to see if anything comes up.
- Do drive (or walk) by's at different times of the day
- Get a mate to knock on the neighbours door (giving an excuse for calling) to see what they are like
- Get an aerial photo view (or birds eye view) on 'live maps' to get a feel for the surrounding area.
- Go to websites like upmystreet and see what the stats for the area are

Unfortunately some things will never reveal themselves until you've spent money on solicitors/surveyors etc like damp, electrics, knackered boilers etc. Very thorough list though!:beer:

WillowCat

Most of these questions you need answers for, but to be honest, you should be doing your research to some of them before you view.

The others can wait until you know whether you're interested or not.

Even then, do your own research first, don't make the vendor wary by interrogation.

When I show a house (mine) I bring into conversation the positives - such as when I open the cupboard where the boiler / high pressure water cylinder etc sits and let them know that the boiler is 1 year old and the rest of it was totally rebuilt/installed 10 years ago. Ditto I tell them about the rewire and other not so obvious enhancements. When asked directly by the viewer who made an offer last week whether there were any structural problems, I was happy to answer that there were none I was aware of, but that the flat roof on the extension was due to be replaced, and the windows in lounge and kitchen should also be done. No sense in covering anything up. If I'd been presented your list though I think I might have got a bit fed up!

geoffky

WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE IS A GOOD ONE..:rotfl:

poppysarah

Ask to look at the meters - if it's an old fuse box you really need a rewire.
Look where the sockets are.
Look for a phone socket.
look at the rads - are they old? thermovalve things? in silly places?

ess0two

poppysarah wrote: »

Ask to look at the meters - if it's an old fuse box you really need a rewire.
Look where the sockets are.
Look for a phone socket.
look at the rads - are they old? thermovalve things? in silly places?

Plenty of properties have old fuse boxes but more than adequate wiring,a new fusebox fiited should be less than £200,but its highly likely there is nothing wrong with the current one.


To the OP dont forget to factor in 70% off asking price,seems going rate on here:cool:

barnaby-bear

poppysarah wrote: »

Ask to look at the meters - if it's an old fuse box you really need a rewire.
Look where the sockets are.
Look for a phone socket.
look at the rads - are they old? thermovalve things? in silly places?

Yeah it's the things they don't point out you can see for yourself.... condition of double glazing, if it's a fitted oven - is it a cheap refurb single without a seperate grill (pain in the bum and pain to replace), what's the heating like - does it have a timer do you get continuous hot water or have to wait an hour and heat up an entire tank / back boiler (i.e. you'd have to move it if it broke - nightmare :eek: as no longer efficient enough to be allowed replacement normally)/ if it's a combi is there an electric shower i.e. an alternative.... Parking is there enough.... does the circuit bard have an RCD (how many fuses - older systems you might not be able to add electric shower without new board)

hethmar

I think that you decide before you even get in the house if you love it or not. In which case, your list will fall by the way side. Fall in love with the house and then adjust yourself to the problems (which there will be with any place)and possibly renegotiate a price or as someone suggested look at new builds. If you dont get that gut feeling and go to your list of queries then probably its not the right house for you.

RetroBob

Thanks all for your input.

I'll probably ditch the "how much did you pay" and add other stuff as well.

Tbh, with a list like that, i very much doubt you will ever find a property that comes up to your standards, and as a seller, i dont think i would accept your offer (unless desperate) as you would strike me as being a bit OTT, and the sale would be a nightmare to go through with.

I dont think the location of the fuse box is something most people concern themselves with on a first visit, also the reason most people have decorated recently is because they are 'trying to sell their house'. Also noone would admit the real reason they are moving, espec if neighbour inspired, we can all come up with a feasible excuse.

Personally, i think you should be looking at new-build properties only, as that way you should be able to whittle your list down to about 2 questions, which would save yourself and any seller alot of time

It was more, condition of fuse box as someone else mentioned on here.

It's not a list of dealbreakers by any stretch of the imagination - I know full well that there's no single house that will tick all the boxes, but this allows me to weigh up the pros and cons of each house.

I'm avoiding new build - I rent at 2006 built house with two people at the moment and I've also been in other new property in the area visiting friends - in general it's terrible, real lowest common demomenator fittings, cardboard thin walls, no storage space. Something older (70s, 80s, 90s) is fine provided it's energy efficient.

barnaby-bear

RetroBob wrote: »

Thanks all for your input.

I'll probably ditch the "how much did you pay" and add other stuff as well.



It's not a list of dealbreakers by any stretch of the imagination - I know full well that there's no single house that will tick all the boxes, but this allows me to weigh up the pros and cons of each house.

I'm avoiding new build - I rent at 2006 built house with two people at the moment and I've also been in other new property in the area visiting friends - in general it's terrible, real lowest common demomenator fittings, cardboard thin walls, no storage space. Something older (70s, 80s, 90s) is fine provided it's energy efficient.

View with someone else then and go into separae rooms and see what you can hear - over the last 30 years there have been plenty of cardboard walls/floors - we stayed in a 1960s and could hear our friends snoring / sneezing - hate to think what their kids heard (they eventually had 4 :rotfl:)

RetroBob

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Yeah it's the things they don't point out you can see for yourself.... condition of double glazing, if it's a fitted oven - is it a cheap refurb single without a seperate grill (pain in the bum and pain to replace), what's the heating like - does it have a timer do you get continuous hot water or have to wait an hour and heat up an entire tank / back boiler (i.e. you'd have to move it if it broke - nightmare :eek: as no longer efficient enough to be allowed replacement normally)/ if it's a combi is there an electric shower i.e. an alternative.... Parking is there enough.... does the circuit bard have an RCD (how many fuses - older systems you might not be able to add electric shower without new board)

What does poor condition double glazing look like?
What's and RCD?