What To Look for When Viewing a House: 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?