{"id":896,"date":"2019-12-02T16:05:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T16:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magento-500423-1584700.cloudwaysapps.com\/blog\/?p=896"},"modified":"2024-03-15T14:49:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T14:49:18","slug":"property-viewing-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/property-viewing-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Property Viewing Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How exciting! You are about to explore the housing\nmarket and maybe buy a new home.  This is\na significant investment, and you are committing to a long-term financial\nproject.  Therefore, starting your search\nwill feel daunting, and you may not fully understand what you are looking\nfor.  You may know you want three\nbedrooms, an\nunderfloor heating system<\/a>, or maybe even just a\nbig garden.  However, beyond these more\nsignificant hopes and dreams for the property, you are uncertain what you are\nmeant to be checking.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we take you through all the essential details you need to know before committing to buying a home.\u00a0 You may fall in love on your first visit, but you should still go back to check that everything is up to standard.\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore what you should be looking for when viewing an old or new build <\/a>house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Look For When Viewing A House <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you go looking at property, take a look at your finances.  You need to understand how much you can spend on your new home.  However, it will also put into perspective the sort of numbers you are about to spend.  This will be the biggest purchase of your life.  Therefore, looking at the finances will prompt you to spend more than 20 minutes giving the place a quick once over.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Big Things List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are things you should look for that will tell you straight\naway if you should buy or not.  First,\nyou need to be convinced that the building is structurally sound.  Look for big cracks.  There are likely to be hairline cracks here\nand there, especially at extension joints or in the walls of end-of-terrace\nhomes.  However, if there are significant\ncracks or there is bowing in windows or walls, then you should ask some serious\nquestions of the estate agent.  These are\nlikely issues\na surveyor will find in the buying process<\/a>, and it may prevent you from\ngetting a mortgage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also ask how old the roof is. A roof has a life\nexpectancy between 15 \u2013 20 years \u2013 so it may be that you will be expected to\nreplace membranes and tiles soon after you move in.  You should definitely stick your head in the\nattic space \u2013 to check for visible leaks or problems.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another significant issue is damp. \nYou are looking for mould, flaky plaster, watermarked walls and\nceilings.  Look up and look down as you\nare walking around \u2013 you should be interested in the ceiling and the skirting\nboards \u2013 as this is where you will see signs of covered up damp easier.  You should also check to see if there is\ncondensation build-up on windows, which could indicate poorly fitted\ndouble-glazing or rotting window frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better to check now list<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Other big things are good to know but may not be the deal-breaker.  For instance, you will want to know if the\nhouse has a north or south facing garden. \nIt can make the difference between a garden as an additional space or\njust a chunk of land at the back of your home. \nYou should also check for storage \u2013 something as simple as a lack of\ncupboards in the kitchen can be a real annoyance when you move in.  Finally, assess if the rooms are big\nenough.  You need to make simple\ncalculations like: will your sofa fit through the door?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check for power points and water pressure.  You should go around switching on lights and\nlooking for the plugs.  Also, turn the\ntaps on and off and flush those toilets. \nYou might also want to check if the pipes have been insulated, as this\ncan make a difference to the resilience of the plumbing in winter months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also want to know about your neighbours.  You are not asking for gossip.  You just want to listen hard to see how much\nyou can hear from the houses close by.  People\nmay not disclose problems with neighbours. \nHowever, if they have had to report the neighbours to the police, they\nare obliged to tell you this fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other stuff list<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you have got all the big and essential checks out the way,\nyou need to start looking for those details that will help you fall in love\nwith your home.  You should check the\nlocal amenities, such as the pub and the local shop, maybe even the takeaway.  You should drive around the area and look for\nevidence of the attitude of people who live in the are \u2013 the level of litter,\nfor instance; the number of dog walkers, and signs that there is a community\nspirit.  You might even want to check for\npublic transport \u2013 the nearest train station or bus stop, for instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might not think these things are as important as the four\nwalls of your home, but they come together to influence your experience of your\nhome.  If you are a parent, you will want\nto know about schools and the level of traffic on the road.  If you are elderly, the distance to local\namenities is crucial.  It may be that\nsmells could ruin your experience of your home or the low flying planes, and\nnearby trains cause you real distress.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have gone through all these possibilities, the last check\nyou make is the most important:  does\nthis building feel like it could be your home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Ask When Viewing A House<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Your essential list of fifty questions you should ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Does everything smell right?<\/li>
  2. Do the lights work in each room?<\/li>
  3. Will you need to decorate?<\/li>
  4. Is the flooring good enough?<\/li>
  5. Is there a sign of damp, mould\nor condensation?<\/li>
  6. Are there any exposed wires or\nobviously defective fixtures and fittings?<\/li>
  7. Are there any cracks?<\/li>
  8. Are there enough power sockets?<\/li>
  9. Is there enough storage<\/li>
  10. Do neighbours overlook you?<\/li>
  11. What are the neighbours like?<\/li>
  12. Do the windows and doors open\nand close quickly?<\/li>
  13. Are the window frames in good\ncondition?<\/li>
  14. Do all the locks work?<\/li>
  15. Do all the taps work?<\/li>
  16. What is the water pressure like?<\/li>
  17. How long has the boiler been in\nplace?<\/li>
  18. When was the last time It was\nserviced?<\/li>
  19. Is there a bath? Shower?<\/li>
  20. How much work is needed to\nmaintain the garden?<\/li>
  21. How secure is the boundary of\nthe garden?<\/li>
  22. Is the garden north or south facing?<\/li>
  23. How old is the roof?<\/li>
  24. Are there any tiles missing from\nthe roof?<\/li>
  25. Are the drains and gutters clean\nand in a good state?<\/li>
  26. Where will you park your car?<\/li>
  27. Are there smoke alarms?<\/li>
  28. What are the utilities like?<\/li>
  29. Is there adequate phone signal?<\/li>
  30. What broadband service is there?<\/li>
  31. Is there any scope for extension\nor improvement?<\/li>
  32. Is there a loft?<\/li>
  33. Is the attic space in good\ncondition?<\/li>
  34. When were the electrics last\nchecked?<\/li>
  35. Is the building in a\nconservation area, or is it a listed building?<\/li>
  36. What is the area like at different\ntimes of the day?<\/li>
  37. What are the public transport\nlinks like?<\/li>
  38. Are there ample local amenities?<\/li>
  39. Is it freehold or leasehold?<\/li>
  40. How many years are left on the\nlease?<\/li>
  41. Do you have to pay a service\ncharge to a management company?<\/li>
  42. Are the communal areas serviced?<\/li>
  43. How noisy are the neighbours?<\/li>
  44. Is there a residents\u2019 committee\nor neighbourhood watch scheme?<\/li>
  45. Is there a potential for\nflooding in the area?<\/li>
  46. How accessible is the area in\nthe winter months?<\/li>
  47. Does it look like the residents\ncare about the area?<\/li>
  48. What is the place like at rush\nhour?<\/li>
  49. Is there good quality broadband?<\/li>
  50. How safe is the area?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Essential tips for house viewing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It can be daunting viewing a house.  Here are some hints and tips for how to\nmanage the viewing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Take your time viewing the\nhouse.  The estate agent may look rushed\nand want to get to another appointment, but you are making a big decision.  Research suggests that if you spend more than\n90 minutes on your viewing, then you will pay lower than the asking price in\nthe end.  So, this is time very well\nspent.<\/li>
    2. Walk around the outside of the\nbuilding first and assess the solidity of the structure.  There might be no point going inside if there\nare visible defects.<\/li>
    3. Look carefully \u2013 but also smell\ncarefully.  The house could be like a\nshow home in appearance, but it is difficult to mask signs of damp, mould and\npotential drainage issues.  Remember to\nlift up rugs and look behind furniture. \nImagine how you would try to hide potential problems.<\/li>
    4. View the house more than once.\nDon\u2019t be too panicked by comments about other buyers and a competitive market \u2013\nthis is a huge decision, and you should not be rushed into making a quick\ndecision.<\/li>
    5. Look into the boundaries of the\nland and always, always get a professional survey done on the property as part\nof the purchase process.  It is likely\nyour mortgage company will insist on this anyway.  However, if you have a choice, don\u2019t take a\nrisk \u2013 ask a professional to have a look and make sure you are getting what you\nare paying for.<\/li>
    6. Finally, check out the\nneighbourhood at different times of the day. \nIt may be peaceful and serene during your midmorning viewing \u2013 but then\nbe swamped with rush hour traffic twice a day.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      When you are viewing a property, you should begin by doing your research.  Check out your finances and the local area before turning up.  You should definitely see the property more than once and make sure you take photographs, so you can reassess when out of the pressurised environment of the viewing.  Most importantly, ask questions.  You need to allow your head to take charge.  Although buying a home is an emotional experience and finding somewhere you love is essential, you need to apply some common sense and discernment.  The love you feel now can quickly drain away when the costs rack up, and potential disruptions override those first moments of joy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Buying a home can be the scariest but also the most exciting moment of your life.  If you go in prepared, you should be able to find the property of your dreams \u2013 and one that lives up to its initial promise.

      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      How exciting! You are about to explore the housing market and maybe buy a new home.  This is a significant investment, and you are committing to a long-term financial project.  Therefore, starting your search will feel daunting, and you may not fully understand what you are looking for.  You may know you want three bedrooms,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,7,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-896","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy-saving","category-home-improvements","category-maintenance"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/house.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Gary Jones","author_link":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/author\/gary-jones\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/896","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=896"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/896\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=896"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}