100 Things To Look For/Consider When Visiting Properties You May Buy

siliconbits

Guys, I am putting together a checklist for newbies like me who are on the verge of buying their first property. If I have missed something thanks for letting me know.


Before

1. Surveyor
2. Solicitor
3. Conveyancing
4. Check area on Google (search, news, streetview, maps)
5. your budget
6. number of rooms
7. local transport links needed
8. schools and other amenities
9. parking
10. garden size

Inside The House

1. Amount of decoration/restauration
2. Dampness
3. Smell/Odour
4. Flush the toilet
5. Sun rises/set
6. Central heating
7. Electrics
8. Hot water

Outside The House

1. Neighbourhood
2. Talk to neighbours
3. Ask vendor why they are selling
4. Large tree next to house (roots!)
5. Foliage on the wall
6. Traffic
7. Room for extension
8. Underground boundaries of the property

After
Come back at different days, different times, different conditions

ciano125

Chances of getting a mortgage perhaps?

Good list though, I'd say that would be quite useful, however pointers to websites such as nethouseprices etc would also be useful.

googler

"Flush the toilet"

Seriously, why?

Do you REALLY think there's the possibility that the cistern flush isn't working, and that the owners may have been throwing buckets of water in the pan for days, weeks or months?

siliconbits

ciano125 wrote: »

Chances of getting a mortgage perhaps?

Good list though, I'd say that would be quite useful, however pointers to websites such as nethouseprices etc would also be useful.

Do you have any others? Nethouseprices, Propertybee, rightmove.co.uk, daft.ie, propertynews.com, espc.co.uk, gspc.co.uk and sspc.co.uk

superfran_uk

googler wrote: »

"Flush the toilet"

Seriously, why?

Do you REALLY think there's the possibility that the cistern flush isn't working, and that the owners may have been throwing buckets of water in the pan for days, weeks or months?

If it doesn't flush it probably just needs a new syphon or something! it's not going to make or break a house sale!!

What about the layout of rooms? Will you be able to open the wardrobe doors fully with a double bed in, that kind of thing? What about (if a semi or a terrace) which rooms neighbour next door? What about asking to see the boiler and taking note of how old it is, what type it is? And the consumer unit? Is there a water tank? Where's the stopcock?

What about looking for any cracked tiles on the roof? Looking at the ceilings to make sure there are no 'dark patches' or cracks? Looking at the outside for signs of bracketing and gaps between bricks which indicate possible subsidence? Looking out for liner paper which has been painted over - possibly indicating a bad plastering job underneath? What about finding out what inside the house is staying and what is going???


Much more important than flushing a loo!!

terricfan

Broadband availability!!

More accurately, whether the house is on a BT landline so you can get ADSL from anywhere, or a Virgin/whatever landline which might tie you to that provider or mean you have to pay a fair amount to switch back to BT.

Yes, I'm geeky enough that broadband would break a house deal.

(Flushing toilets I can do without)

siliconbits

From Which?
http://www.which.co.uk/static/html/pdfs/viewing_checklist.pdf

From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/property/buying_viewingchecklist.shtml)

How much is the council tax for the area?
Is the property lease or freehold?
Is there allocated parking?
If there isn't, is it easy to park?
Does it have a private or shared garden?
What aspect is the garden?
If the property is leasehold, how much is the ground rent?
Does the property have central heating?
What are the neighbours like?
What are the local schools like?
Are transport links good?
How far is the nearest station?
Is the area noisy?
Where are the nearest shops?
Is the property tied up in a chain?
How quickly would the owners like to move?
Has any building work been done on the property since the owners moved in?

From Primelocation http://www.primelocation.com/guides/buying/viewing-property-helpful-hints/

Inside the property
Does the property require updating?
Is it just cosmetic, or is there more serious work involved?
Is it worth getting an estimate for such work?
Is it a listed building or in a conservation area which might restrict any alterations?
Are the rooms big enough for your requirements?
Will all your furniture fit?
What is/isn't included in the sale? - fittings, garage, land, etc.
How much is the Council Tax?
What are the usual bills for electricity, gas, water, etc?
What reasons are given for the seller's moving/selling?
Is there central heating?
How old is it?
When was it last serviced?
Is there a loft?
Is it insulated?
Are the windows double glazed?
Has the property been altered in any way?
Are the relevant planning consents available to inspect?
Are there any signs of subsidence?
Are there any major cracks in the walls or doors not closing properly?
Is damp present?
Can you smell damp?
Are there watermarks anywhere?
Has the property been recently decorated?
Has it been done to cover anything untoward?
Is there enough storage for all your belongings?
Are there enough power points?
Does the property get enough natural light?
Has it been well maintained?
Could you see yourself living there?
Does it feel like your home?

The location
The immediate locality should also be part of your considerations as you view the property. For example:
What is the property's proximity to main roads, schools, clubs, bars, pubs and restaurants?
How close is it to railway lines or flight paths overhead?
What does the community feel like?
What is the condition of nearby property like?
Is the property near relevant transport links?
Are there any plans for development near or around the property?
What is the crime level like in the area?
What are the neighbours like? Are they nice?
Has there ever been a dispute with any neighbours about the property or land?

There's a property scorecard here US based though http://www.ourfamilyplace.com/homebuyer/scorecard1.html
http://www.mortgage101.com/article/home-buyer-checklist

googler

Inside/outside - if wood-framed windows, check to see if they look well-maintained, if there's any sign of rot or decay.

If the house is described as double-glazed, check that all the windows are.

Outside - take a compass to check N/S/E/W orientation

Addition to 8: Hot Water - check if CH boiler is combi type, or if 'standard' type with separate HW tank and possibly immersion heater fitted to tank

If the house is a terraced one, check if those in the middle of the terrace have rights of access over the back gardens of those in the end-terraces.

If looking in an attic, is there suitable insulation? Look at the cold water tank and the plumbing attached thereto. Is the tank an older galvanised design, or fibreglass (usually metallic or white appearance) or the more modern style (usually black plastic). Is the tank lagged? Is the pipework lagged? Does it look as though any timbers have been cut or altered to accommodate the loft ladder?

If you particularly want to look in the attic at a first viewing, you may want to consider taking your own set of steps with you - don't rely on there being any available at the house.

poppysarah

broadband, supermarket delivery,
(I do leave the house sometimes... )

barnaby-bear

siliconbits wrote: »

Guys, I am putting together a checklist for newbies like me who are on the verge of buying their first property. If I have missed something thanks for letting me know.


Before

1. Surveyor
2. Solicitor
3. Conveyancing
4. Check area on Google (search, news, streetview, maps)
5. your budget
6. number of rooms
7. local transport links needed
8. schools and other amenities
9. parking
10. garden size

Inside The House

1. Amount of decoration/restauration
2. Dampness
3. Smell/Odour
4. Flush the toilet
5. Sun rises/set
6. Central heating
7. Electrics
8. Hot water

Outside The House

1. Neighbourhood
2. Talk to neighbours
3. Ask vendor why they are selling
4. Large tree next to house (roots!)
5. Foliage on the wall
6. Traffic
7. Room for extension
8. Underground boundaries of the property

After
Come back at different days, different times, different conditions

Shower pressure.
Water meter/average bills.
Where they are going - a family with 3 kids "we thinking of renting" always bad... never realise LLs don't like kids, 6 months AST, moving twice.
Have they done something properly - FENSA certs for double glazing etc...
Single fitted oven - sign of a cheap fix-em-up
Is there a fridge/washing machine/dishwasher - fittings for one - I have seen houses/flats with no room/fittings for yes even a fridge but people don't notice what isn't there.
Number of sockets.
Are the walls/floors solid - go into the next room - sneeze is the wall made of cardboard? One upstairs - one down what creaks?
Flat roof - nasty things....
Contruction - 1960s cavity wall tie issues - pre 1950s single skin brick? Expensive to heat
Conservation area/managed flats - can you get sky/cable?

terricfan

Take your shoes off and get in the bath to check the size. I'm 6'7", 20 stone.....

You can test the water pressure and heated towel rail at the same time, but you need a VERY accommodating estate agent for such viewings.