Arranging house viewings
One of the most exciting and key stages of buying a house is the viewing process, but it is important to be prepared and consider a number of factors crucial to ensuring you make all the rights moves.
When you have decided to buy a place of your own and begin viewing potential properties there are a number of things to consider.
This is your first chance to look around properties in your price range and get a feel for the different kinds of houses available on the market at the time you are looking.
But, although it is easy to get swept up in the excitement of finding a house or flat you think you want to make an offer on, it is important to prepare yourself before a viewing. This will ensure you know what to look for, what questions to ask and how to ensure you have the full picture.
Important questions for the Estate Agent
Firstly, it is important you ask estate agents for as much information as possible on property they are offering and to consider what is important to you before spending time viewing.
- How many rooms does it have?
- What kind of property is it – a new build, Victorian etc.?
- If it’s a flat, is it on the top floor or basement?
- Is the property leasehold or freehold (if leasehold what are the annual charges and ground rent)?
- Does it have a garden?
- Does it have off-road parking?
- Is it in an area you are prepared to live?
Questions about the house
When you view a property it should be in daylight and it is a good idea to take someone with you who may spot things you miss. It is important to know what to look for. Make notes of the answers to each point so you can later compare what you have seen.
- Is there central heating, and if so, how old it is or are any works needed to improve the property? This will all add to your costs and could be reflected in any offer you make.
- Why are the sellers moving? You are within your rights to ask about neighbours and the vendor must tell you if there have been any problems or disputes.
- Look for obvious problems like damp patches on walls or cracks in the floorboards and ceilings.
- Are the rooms big enough for your needs and furniture?
- What is included in the sale - curtains, carpets, white goods etc?
- How much storage space is there?
- Try to see past superficial things that can be easily changed like furniture you don’t like or horrible coloured paint on the walls.
- Has a room recently been decorated, if so, why? There may be an underlying problem? Has the property been cared for generally?
- Is it double glazed? Do the window frames have cracking paint (a sign of rot)?
- Ask what council tax band the property is in so you can find out the monthly payments.
Location, Location, Location
The location of your new home is very important to your happiness when you move in. It is best to find out answers to the following.
- If you like the property, view it again at a different time of day to ensure you get a fuller impression. For example, does a nearby school cause mayhem on your road at going home time?
- Is it near main roads, bars, clubs and restaurants? This may be an advantage but could be noisy at night.
- Does the community seem friendly? Chat with the neighbours.
- Look at the condition of nearby properties. Do people care for their homes and the area?
- How good are local schools or amenities such as shops, hospitals and leisure facilities?
- View crime figures in the area.
- How good or near is public transport?
There are obviously many more factors to take into account when buying a house, the financial side being most important, but we hope the advice above will go some way to help during this step of your journey to becoming a homeowner.