First Time Buyer - First viewing

hunte78

We are going to view our first ever property as FTB. Any tips on things to look out for or questions to ask?

I believe the current owner is showing us around, is this better than an estate agent showing us around?

Any advice and tips appreciated.

hazyjo

Ask questions if you like it, but if you don't then save your breath (it'll only make the vendor think you're interested when you're not).


See what their position is - have they found somewhere to go?


Why are they moving.


How long have they been there.


Look visually to see if the roof looks old and whether there's any obvious extensions or knocked down walls and ask about them.


Most questions are really just out of nosiness or politeness and won't really make you reconsider if you like it or not.


And anything else relevant to you that you don't already know (transport, schools, etc).


I prefer the vendor to show me round as I'm yet to find an EA who can answer any of my questions, plus if they like you (or even just meet you rather than just dealing with some anonymous buyer via their solicitor/EA!) then sometimes it makes them less likely to pee you around, and they may bend a little more on things. Some prefer the other way round. Just personal taste.


Jx

hunte78

Thanks hazyjo, a lot of information there to take on board.

We are trying to go in with a clear mind, whilst the photo's looked good we don't want to be swayed by our desire to own our own home so don't want to jump in too quickly.

hazyjo

It's often about 'the feeling' lol.


First flat I bought, it was really only on the list as a comparison. The road was a bit busy, it had a tiny galley kitchen, the 2nd bed was also tiny, but the rest was huge and we just fell in love with it.


Another house I bought 10 or so years ago, it was between that and another round the corner. The other had more period features, no pebbledash, nicer direction, parking a bit easier - but I just loved the one I ended up buying. You really don't always know from the pics


Jx

hazyjo

PS I also remember viewing one that looked perfect on paper, but the whole house just sent me cold inside. I couldn't wait to get out LOL. Maybe there's something to be said for feng shui

BusyBargainz

I hope you enjoy looking around your first property. The first house we viewed was the next road across from where I live now and I really liked it. I think it was easy to like the first one I saw because it was the first time I really pictured myself moving out and it got me excited and I wasn’t able to see the flaws like the lack of parking.

I know it sounds clich! but when we found ‘the one’ we just knew it was meant to be. If you really like it, try and get a second viewing so you can go back over and see it without having your ‘I LOVE IT I WANT IT NOW’ head on haha. Then you are more likely to spot any faults.

I prefer when the Vendor does the viewing. They will tell you little things that the EA wouldn’t know. Our vendor for example walked around with us and told us what DIY bits she had done recently and when the boiler was serviced, what walls you can hear the neighbours through etc. It was much more valuable when making our decision.

I realise this hasn’t been overly helpful but this is how I saw it from my side . Good luck with your viewing!

sam3103

I'm mixed. I like being shown by the vendor because I can ask them questions and get better answers but also find that when shown by the estate agent you feel you are free to say what you want and can have a better nose around. It depends on the vendor as well really as some show you round then let you have a wander round at your own leisure and I've seen some houses where the seller literally followed me everywhere and I felt I couldn't have a proper nose!

I usually ask what the neighbours are like, how long they've lived there, why they are selling, what the local schools are, if the road gets busy, how old the boiler is, if the boiler has been serviced regularly, if they've ever had any restructuring work.

I find I usually get a feel for the property the moment I walk through the front door.

david1951

Like BusyBargainz says, beware of falling in love with the first property you see. There is plenty of time for this once you move in. Until then, don't get emotionally attached.

If the vendor is showing you round, then keep a poker face.

hunte78

Thank you for all the tips and advice.

One thing that I see as a negative is that the house has electric storage heaters, which I know can be expensive and inefficient to run. No idea how much it costs to install central heating but I doubt it is cheap.

hazyjo

Vaguely, a few thousand.


Storage heaters can be okay if (1) used properly (most people haven't got a clue what to do with them!), and (2) no big open airy spaces. My first flat had a huge open lounge with the stairs in, with around 20' ceilings. All the heat just vanished. My BF's old flat had the thinnest walls ever and it was like living in a fridge all winter (with storage heaters). My '30s house never gets anywhere near the Arctic conditions that flat did!


Jx

NicNicP

Check the council tax band they're in and how much a month it is. Also check if the property is on a water meter or not.