What To Look for When Viewing a House: 12 House Viewing Tips

It’s easy to be dazzled by wonderful first impressions or feel compelled by the presence of others to merely take a quick look around when viewing a new home. Purchasing a new home is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, so why not make the most of it? It’s your chance to see if it’s the correct fit for you, as well as identify any potential issues down the road. We’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help you get the most out of your viewings.

12 House Viewing Tips

1. Look for Signs of Damp

Hands down, this is one of the most important steps of viewing a house. Check if walls or ceilings have been watermarked. Don’t skip the skirting boards either. Sometimes, the sellers try to hide the damp, either with furniture or rugs. In this case, you might look for any signs of bad odor which can signal the dampness.

2. Is There Enough Storage?

When looking at potential houses to buy, storage space is a critical element but buyers usually ignore it. Where will you store your vacuum cleaner, towels, extra linens, and rubbish boxes? Is there enough area for built-in cupboards or shelves? Make sure you check if there is enough storage space.

3. What Is Included?

Confirm the amount of land that comes with the property. If there’s any doubt about who owns a garden or parking spot, find out and get it in writing before deciding to buy the house.

4. Take a Compass With You

You may find it difficult to see the difference between a north and south-facing house or garden in the winter. However, in the summer, it can mean a lot. Don’t be afraid to bring a compass to the property viewing; you may already have one on your phone.

5. Measure the Real Size of the Rooms

If there is already furniture in the house you’re viewing, it might be difficult to get a real sense of the house’s size. Especially, if the furniture is small, the rooms might look bigger. Measure the rooms properly and see if your furniture will fit in.

6. Check the Structure

It’s easy to spot large cracks, but don’t overlook the hairline cracks. Examine the areas where extensions meet, end-of-terrace walls, and bay windows in particular. Note down any problems you see and report them to the real estate agent or the surveyor. So they might look into these issues later.

7. Is the Plumbing Functioning Properly?

Check the taps and see if the water pressure is good. Are radiators working properly? Is the boiler too old? This can be overlooked too but make sure that you check if anything needs to be replaced.

8. Inspect the PowerPoints

Examine the wiring’s condition and the fuse board. Note that you’ll need help from a surveyor to see its real condition. Also, check if there are enough plug outlets.

9. Is the House “Too” Staged?

It’s normal that sellers to stage their homes for a quick sale. But, don’t be fooled by the planned lighting, fresh flowers, or mirrors.  If you can, take photos and examine them later.

10. Pay Extra Attention to the Roof

Replacing a roof is an expensive business. This is why checking the roof and the material used is very important. If a cheap material has been used, you’ll need to spare an extra budget for the repair or replacement.

11. Take a Second Look at the Property

It would be wise to view a property more than once. This is important so that you can get the vibe of the neighborhood: Is there too much traffic in the evenings? Are your prospective neighbors too loud? Viewing a house at 10 a.m. is different from seeing at 7 p.m.

12. Have You Checked the Neighborhood?

Before buying a house, make sure to do a thorough search to locate the best neighborhood.

  • Are there any bars or restaurants nearby?
  • Are supermarkets near or do you have to drive?
  • Can you easily access public transport?
  • Are there any train tracks nearby that are going to cause noise?

Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Agent

  • The property’s total floor area: This is the most basic piece of information you’ll need to figure out what you’re truly getting.
  • The exact size of the living space: Find out the size of the area, excluding cloakrooms, halls, and corridors.
  • The price of the homes in the neighborhood: Look out what similar houses in the region have sold for on the internet, and ask the estate agent why the house you’re interested in is so different from recent sale prices. Is there something wrong with the house? Is the seller asking for too much money?

What About Virtual Viewings

Virtual viewings come in a variety of formats, including pre-recorded tours or live tours with the owner or agent. If it’s a live session, take your time, ask lots of questions, and insist on seeing the insides of cupboards, the fuse box, and the boiler. Take a good look at the window frames and the view out the window. It will be difficult to gain a feel of the location and surrounding area, but Google Street View can help. You can get a sense of the neighborhood and how it has changed through time by using Google Maps.

What Else To Consider When Viewing a House

We’ve given you some basic tips you should take into consideration while viewing houses. Still, what is more important is that you feel that you can call it your next home.

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