Property Viewing - Possible Purchase

mimi1234

Hi all,

I am still a first time buyer and I have not viewed a property in well over 2 years so the prospect of going to view a property tomorrow is filling me with dread.

I have a list of questions to ask but was wondering if you friendly folk might be able to tell me what I need to look out for and what to ask.

A few things I have learnt is to actually check things, like the last property I made an offer on 2 years ago had loads of windows in the bedrooms but they were all "show" windows as in none of them opened and this was only found out when the survey was done so this is something I will be doing tomorrow.

Cheers my dears.

Davesnave

There are probably lists of 'things to look out for' all over the internet, but maybe you are over-thinking this for a first visit.

You've lived in properties you don't own and visited dozens more, so you already know the sort of things that please you about properties. You therefore have a stock of ideas in your head which assesses any property you walk into and gives you feedback, once you learn to filter out the effects of colours, wallpaper and furnishings. It's doing the last bit which can be hard; a flashy new kitchen or someone's dark purple wall and black furniture, can easily sway the unfocused mind!

So, by all means have a short check list, but as this is just a first visit, you want to focus on the general condition, the amount of space and light and the surroundings, especially immediate neighbours' properties. If these check out and you get a good feeling - again, ignoring the decor, which can be altered - then you will go back for a second view with more focused questions.

After that, you might make an offer, or you might walk away, because it's a big decision, not to be taken lightly or in a hurry. I've done as many as 3 viewings on several occasions and then walked.

You probably won't find another property with non-opening bedroom windows, even if you visit 20 properties. I hope you aim for that number, even if you don't reach it, because it's only by seeing what's out there, not just on a screen, that you get a feel for what's good value and right for you, and what isn't.

Best of luck. Nothing to dread!

warby68

This is going to sound flippant but there isn't much wrong if, on a first viewing, you just wander round to see if you like it and could envisage living there.

The obvious questions will jump out once you're there.

The less obvious ones can be considered for a second viewing if you like it.

What you don't want to do is be frantically working down a mental list of questions and not taking in the view, so to speak.

If you forget something, there's always the phone afterwards, via the agent.

Although as Daves says, check out the immediate location as an absolute priority. You can actually do that before a viewing as well for the most part. There's nothing worse than arriving for a viewing and finding they kept the next door cemetary or similar out of the photos! In my view location trumps everything so no point even looking at the house if that doesn't stack up.

If the vendor is doing the viewing, its also a chance to get a feel for if you want to do business with them. Its not foolproof but housebuying is fraught and if the vendors and buyers warm to each other it can help it along.

Doozergirl

Reconsider that feeling of dread. I think it could be relabelled as excitement! The physical feelings associated, aren't actually too different.

I agree with warby. Just use those first viewings as an opportunity to just get a feel for the house, it's outlook and it's surroundings.

The second viewing can be for more practical things. At that point, you can take more of a checklist and won't look weird using it, either.

As a FTB, you'd be putting too much pressure on yourself to take everything in on a relatively short first viewing. Just enjoy the first ones.

mimi1234

Thank you all. I was literally having kittens this morning but it was a non starter. The property looked "nasty" from the outside and my heart dropped as soon as I saw it. Had a look round anyway but it was not for me. I think it would have cost more to have it done up. Oh well, onwards and upwards.

I've seen another one online and I am going to book a viewing. I won't be that nervous this time. I was just so out of practice that was all.

I will bear in mind for future reference that the first visit is just a look around and if I like it and want to take it further, then I should get the notepad out and what not.

Have a fabulous weekend all.

Spriggan

warby68 wrote: »

This is going to sound flippant but there isn't much wrong if, on a first viewing, you just wander round to see if you like it and could envisage living there.

The obvious questions will jump out once you're there.

The less obvious ones can be considered for a second viewing if you like it.

What you don't want to do is be frantically working down a mental list of questions and not taking in the view, so to speak.

If you forget something, there's always the phone afterwards, via the agent.

Although as Daves says, check out the immediate location as an absolute priority. You can actually do that before a viewing as well for the most part. There's nothing worse than arriving for a viewing and finding they kept the next door cemetary or similar out of the photos! In my view location trumps everything so no point even looking at the house if that doesn't stack up.

If the vendor is doing the viewing, its also a chance to get a feel for if you want to do business with them. Its not foolproof but housebuying is fraught and if the vendors and buyers warm to each other it can help it along.

I'd consider a cemetery next door to be a plus. At least the neighbours would be quiet!

But I also agree that while you need to be hard-headed about some things, there's a lot to be said for whether you actually like the place. We had a list of things that were absolute must-haves, and a bunch of them went out the window when we found the right place.

Location you can't change, and not just for commute etc - we once rented a flat and somehow didn't realise it was next to a bar. Many sleepless nights... Check, and check again!

Slithery

Spriggan wrote: »

I'd consider a cemetery next door to be a plus. At least the neighbours would be quiet!

Definitely.

Davesnave

Spriggan wrote: »

I'd consider a cemetery next door to be a plus. At least the neighbours would be quiet!

Slithery wrote: »

Definitely.

Depends. Sometimes cemeteries are regarded as good hang-outs for the local youths, and if a housholder has no security measures, like a good rear fence backed with prickly shrubs, they may make a house more vulnerable to burglary.

We had a cemetery at the other end of the road where I used to live, but no one messed about in there, as one of the local police inspectors had a garden backing onto it.

In the village I live in now, the cemetery is similarly picturesque and respected, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere near it. The tall trees there hold a rookery, the noise of which is simply appalling at some times of the year!

kerri_gt

Spriggan wrote: »

I'd consider a cemetery next door to be a plus. At least the neighbours would be quiet!!

My thoughts too it would also save a fortune each year on halloween decorations :rotfl:

OP sorry the house wasn't for you but at least you have dipped your toe back in the market.

oystercatcher

Turn the negative viewing into a positive, now you know what you don't want.

It will probably take a lot of viewings to get the feel of what is available, then all of a sudden you will find one that is slightly better, the right area or has an added extra and you will know that you want it. This is the time to start poking about and asking awkward questions to find any loopholes like your non opening windows (never come across that before !).

Needadvice2

Prior to the viewing I always check the floor plan, map and have a look on the street view.

I try and think of what I like/dislike about my current place & see how they compare. For example, my kitchen's small & the boiler is tricky to access.

Think about practical things like parking, surrounding noise, amenities, public transport. If you can have a look around the surrounding streets so you can get a feel for the area I'd recommend that.

I had an issue recently with a house which didn't have building warrants for extensions/attic conversion.
I'm in Scotland so we're armed with the survey prior to viewing so you have a fair idea of what to look out for.