Second Viewing Of Property - any ideas?

NASA_2

I'm going for the second viewing (Tomorrow) of a property that I am trying to buy. Just need a few ideas of what to keep an eye out for.

I mean such things as:

Are there telephone lines already installed?

What method of delivery is the electric? ie. card meter or the more old fashioned meter reading.

justjohn

its the second veiwing you must be keen on it.

Don't look for the good points(you will have seen them first time round).....look hard for any bad ones.

getmore4less

Double check it ticks the correct boxes and actualy meets your needs.

Anything that could come up in a survey,

Check the electrics, anything not working

Check the plumbing, all taps and loos, showers

Check the heating works.

Any signes of leaks, check under the sinks.

Roof, window,

Loft.

Door & window locks.

Any damage/damp behind/under furniture

Anything on walls they might be taking that will need repair, eg. shelves

N79

NASA wrote: »

I'm going for the second viewing (Tomorrow) of a property that I am trying to buy. Just need a few ideas of what to keep an eye out for.

I mean such things as:

Are there telephone lines already installed?

What method of delivery is the electric? ie. card meter or the more old fashioned meter reading.

Both of those are really non issues.

If there is no telephone line then BT will install one for about GBP120 - not much in the scheme of house buying. If you sign up to a package with someone you will be able to get one installed for free.

If there is a card meter then all you need to do to get rid of it is phone up the electricity / gas people once you buy the house and they will come and replace it (for free) with a normal credit meter - usually within a few days. You may have to pass a credit check - no problem if you just passed a mortgage credit check. If there is a debt on the meter then they will wipe it off on the day you move in either remotely or by making a load of "free" charge cards available at your nearest shop to keep you going until it is changed.

tbs624

Google "property viewing checklist" and you'll get plenty of suggestions

chucknorris

Have you a friend that you can take with you? sometimes a second perspective and another pair of eyes can be very helpful

Davesnave

Take a camera and ask permission to shoot photos.

It's amazing what one still doesn't pick up on during a second visit, so a few dozen photos can be really helpful.

Also, go back to the neighbourhood at other times, particularly evenings, to see what 'external influences' there might be on your decision. Give the neighbours' houses particular scrutiny for clues to odd or slovenly lifestyles. A surprising number of people move for reasons unconnected with their own house!

Sphynx

I always check the inside of wardrobes. Seems intrusive but it's a likely place for mould (damp) and also gives a heads up about storage.

NASA_2

tbs624 wrote: »

Google "property viewing checklist" and you'll get plenty of suggestions

Thank you for that - it did throw up some stuff I woulnt really have thought to ask. And it seems that most people dont even look at the house they are buying properly - which is scary.

chucknorris wrote: »

Have you a friend that you can take with you? sometimes a second perspective and another pair of eyes can be very helpful

Yes, I am taking my mother and her partner along, partner is quite handy with stuff around the house and can usually spot problems. He's not an expert but will certainly be hand to have there.

Davesnave wrote: »

Take a camera and ask permission to shoot photos.

It's amazing what one still doesn't pick up on during a second visit, so a few dozen photos can be really helpful.

Also, go back to the neighbourhood at other times, particularly evenings, to see what 'external influences' there might be on your decision. Give the neighbours' houses particular scrutiny for clues to odd or slovenly lifestyles. A surprising number of people move for reasons unconnected with their own house!

The good thing is that the property is in my town/city. I know the area pretty well and know people who live there - so I am not going totally blind in that respect.

NASA_2

Second viewing went very well.

There is no double glazing at front of house but there is at back of house. A little damp, not a lot, roofing seems fine.

All in all, having taken into account advice on this thread and elsewhere, I am more impressed than I was on first viewing.

ninky_2

check the water pressure - does it drop significantly if you run a tap in the bathroom and the kitchen? how is the water heated? how old is the boiler (generally need replacing every 10 years). if it's a flat, does it have it's own seperate water supply or is it a converted house in which case likely to be shared with downstairs. this can effect your water pressure especially if you are an upstairs flat and downstairs are using their water.

have a look at the fusebox - is it modern and tidy? are the electric sockets in the wall or skirting? (skirting board sockets can indicate old / dodgy electrics).

where does the sun come up and set in relation to the house and how will this effect how the rooms feel - sunny in the eve / dark in morning or opposite.

does it have enough insulation in the loft? double glazing? other things that could make it harder to heat in winter?

what sort of heating? most people like the convenience of central heating. how is this controlled? a room thermostat will reduce costs and stop you wasting money on unnecessary heating.


do the doors close properly? if not and it's an older property may indicate there has been some structural movement.


these things won't necessarily stop you buying the place but you may want to bargain the price. and you may want to ask your surveyor to consider them for you if you go ahead with buying.