Viewing a house - things to watch out for

Silvertabby

How close is the nearest river/stream? Has the property ever been flooded?

Unless you already know the area really well, pop back at odd times - school chucking out times, late evening, weekends - to see if there's anything untoward going on.

trailingspouse

Look at the things that can't be changed - is it just across the road from a rowdy pub, does it back on to a school, what's the neighbourhood like in general, where's the nearest shop, do you get sun in the back garden, how long will the commute to work be?

And also look at the things that can't be changed easily - are there enough bedrooms, is the kitchen big enough (you can change the units, but it's harder to change the actual size), what's parking like.

The other stuff - sockets in the wrong place, a dated kitchen, iffy wallpaper etc etc - can be lived with until you can afford to sort it out.

snoop2008

What an interesting post!!


Really useful for when my daughter begins to view..


What about the stopcock, normally under the sink.

LEJC

OP ...is the house empty or furnished....

If its empty it might be worth taking a tape measure and the dimensions of some of your furniture to get an idea if the things will fit in rooms.

Its easier if the property is furnished as you can probably gauge what is in there already in relation to the size of your stuff.

Sometimes an empty property can seem much larger than something with furniture in.

The other thing to be mindful of is "dressed rooms"...some people usually developers use the tactic of possibly using slightly smaller or less furniture to make rooms appear larger....think 3/4 size bed instead of double for example.

also if the 2nd or 3rd bedroom isnt set up as a bedroom will there be enough space for you to do so....I've seen lots of single sized rooms which actually you would struggle to get much else than a single bed in...it's often dressed with a cot or child bed to create the illusion it might be larger.

aliby21

Honestly, I think that is way too picky for a first viewing, and probably even a second one You've fallen in love with pictures on the internet, you are going to see if you get the same warm fuzzy feeling in real life. And as much of that is about 'location, location, location' as about the house itself, so yes things like the garden being overlooked, also the neighbourhood. If you decide you want the house, then that is the time to have a good look round for damp/cracks/state of loft - but more to decide if you think it is worth the asking price. Most of those things on your list aren't deal breakers. Would you really decide against an otherwise perfect house because of a few plug sockets or because it didn't have a dishwasher, or a bath you liked - these are all things that can be changed pretty easily. Unless there are lots of houses on the market in your area and you can take your pick!

Might be worth you making a list of things you really want or don't want, what would be a deal breaker (mobile phone reception might be if you work at home and need it for that, for example). Focus on those, rather than getting too hung up on things that could be sorted out or changed to how you want them.

LEJC

aliby21 wrote: »

Honestly, I think that is way too picky for a first viewing, and probably even a second one You've fallen in love with pictures on the internet, you are going to see if you get the same warm fuzzy feeling in real life.

Oh my...I've fallen in love with a lot of pictures on the internet and it's not untll you delve a little deeper that you find out sometimes the camera can lie....

OP stick to your guns......an EA probably wants you in and out of the property in 5 mins if they can...but they should at least allow you a reasonable viewing.

You could be a very serious viewer of the property and in allowing you that extra 10 mins they could indeed be saving themselves many more accompanied viewings in the coming weeks from other potential lookers.

After all it's not often you spend the type of money you are proposing....

keith969

Which rooms get the sun in the morning?
Which rooms get the sun in the evening?
Which direction does the garden face? Does the patio or other area you can sit out in get the sun in the afternoon/evening?

Robin9

Location location location.

Far more important than the trivia you list.

Go back at different times of day - rush hour, school run, shops, schools .

pinkshoes

For a second viewing:

Are the neighbours quiet? (Rented or home owners?)

What is parking like?

How long have they lived there?

Flooding?

Boiler serviced regularly?

Appropriate monthly cost of bills? (Gas, elec, water)

teddysmum

Things people (on tv programmes) have said they missed :


If furnished , look behind large items to see if anything is hidden .(In one case it was a large hole in the wall).Also,if you think the carpet looks good enough to keep, check for stains or wear, hidden by furniture or rugs.


Make sure that windows open sufficiently. (One house had a side window that would not open as it was too close to a neighbour's extension..or vice versa.)