What to look out for when you are viewing a property.
Buying a new property to live in is an enormous decision and yet it is likely that you will spend more time deciding to buy a new sofa or car than a new home. The average property viewing takes just 30 minutes. With such minimal time in a property before agreeing to purchase, viewing appointments are critical!
Here are our top tips to make sure you get the most out of your appointment and don't miss anything!
Location: You can change almost everything about the property itself, but you can’t change the location. Consider your lifestyle and ask yourself if the property location works for you. No matter how lovely a property is, the shine can soon wear off when you are sat in traffic on your way to work or school each day.
Structure: Look for obvious defects in the structure of the property. Is there any sagging or tiles missing from the roof? Is there any sign of dampness inside the property? Are there any significant cracks in the exterior of the building? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, there is no need to discount the property altogether, but you may want to ask a specialist to visit and double-check that everything is ok.
Damp: There are multiple types of damp, and some are more of a problem than others. Identify if there is any damp first, and then try to determine what the cause of that damp is. If its condensation, this is merely a ventilation issue. Still, if there is a sign of a leak somewhere or rising damp, then this could be a more significant problem to rectify, and again, you can arrange for a specialist to visit. Remember damp may not always be visible but you can smell it. Don’t be afraid to ask the agent if you can.
Future proof: Consider your life plan and "Where you see yourself in 5 years?" If you are planning a family, will this property be big enough? If you have very young children, will this property be close enough to a good school for them? Are you able to easily commute to work from the property? Could you potentially extend the property if you need more room, or will you have to move into a larger home?
Heating and electrics: How old is the central heating system, and has it been well looked after and regularly serviced? And is the electrical system in good order? You might want to consider if there will need to be an upgrade in the next year or two?
Remember being forewarned is forearmed. Do not be afraid to ask the agent questions – if they don’t know the answer they can find out.
If you think there may be some issues that could be costly, this can be factored into your assessment of the value of the property and the offer that you may wish to make.