When you’ve found a house that you think could be ‘the one’ it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all. However, keeping your emotions in check and taking the time to ask the right questions now could prevent you from uncovering any unwanted surprises later.
We’ve put together a house viewing checklist so you can be sure it’s the right home for you.
Seller’s position
It’s good to get an idea of what the seller’s position is in order to establish a few things, such as if their timescales work with yours, if you’re likely to end up in chain, or whether there’s an opportunity to negotiate on the price.
Ask:
- How long has the house been on the market?
- Have there been many viewings?
- Have any offers been made?
- What’s the reason for selling?
- Where is the seller moving to? Are they part of a chain?
Structure
Putting your own stamp on a home with a bit of paint and DIY can be fun. However, the fun soon stops when you have to shell out for expensive and necessary works, like roof repairs, replacing a boiler or treating damp. These things would usually be picked up in a property survey after you’ve agreed to buy, so it’s good to keep your eyes open for any potential warning signs when you’re viewing.
Things to look out for and ask:
- Stains, mould, cracks in the walls and ceilings (inside and outside)
- Any unusual musty smells
- Whether there’s a flat roof (these have a shorter lifespan)
- Be a bit nosey - take a look behind furniture and inside cupboards to make sure nothing is being hidden
- Ask to turn on taps / shower to check that water pressure is sufficient
- Ask to take a look in the loft to make sure you can access it
- If there’s a below ground/basement level, be sure to take a good look around
- Has the seller done any work to the house e.g. added an extension Do they have proof of planning permission and building regulations they can provide when they sell?
- Are there any restrictions on developing the house e.g. restrictive covenants or listed building?
Space
Does the space work for you? Décor can by updated, however it’s a lot trickier to change the layout!
Look out for:
- Location of switches and plug sockets. Do they make sense? It can be tricky to move or add new ones
- Signs that there’s not enough storage space. Are cupboards bulging, is clothing hung on rails even though there are wardrobes? Sometimes this can be solved with creative storage solutions, but it’s worth being mindful of what you may need in advance
- Is there room in the kitchen for all the appliances you need?
- If you already own furniture, it’s worth noting its measurements and taking a tape measure to the viewing so that you can check it fits
- Is there a garage or drive for off-street parking? This could impact your car insurance premium
Fixtures and fittings
It’s important to check exactly what will be staying at the house when it’s sold. Just because something is there when you view it, doesn’t mean the seller is planning to leave it for the new owner, or that it’s in the best condition.
Ask:
- What they’re planning to include – this could be anything from light fixtures and curtail poles, to garden sheds / outbuildings, white goods and even fireplaces
- Where is the boiler, how old is it, when was it last serviced, is it under any kind of warranty?
- For any larger items that are being left by the seller - how old are they, are they damaged etc?
- Are there any manuals / guarantees (where applicable) for items being left?
Area
You’ve narrowed your search down to a specific area, but what’s the immediate vicinity like?
Ask:
- What are the neighbours like?
- What is parking like?
- Do you get any noise from nearby roads / schools / businesses?
- Has there been any flooding to the house or the area?
- Do you know of any planned developments nearby e.g. new housing or roads?
- What is the phone / broadband signal like?
- Where is the nearest convenience store? How far away is the nearest supermarket?
- What are the public transport links like?
Direction
If you’re into gardening or enjoy sitting out in the garden in summertime, then make sure you ask about the direction of the house. For instance, a South-facing home will get lots of lovely natural light throughout the day. If the owner isn’t sure, you can find out using satellite maps like Google Earth.
Bear in mind:
- The south side of the house will get more sun
- The east side of the house will get more sun in the morning
- The west side of the house will get more sun in the evening
Running costs
You may have spoken to a mortgage adviser and calculated your mortgage payment, but what about the rest of the household bills? Although everyone is different, knowing what the current homeowner pays will give you a rough idea of what you could expect to be paying.
Ask:
- Water: is the house on a meter or is there a fixed payment every month?
- Council tax: what band is the property in? How much are payments each month? Are your payments spread over 10 or 12 months?
- Broadband: what are the connection options in this area? (some areas of the UK may be limited to using certain providers, which could impact on service and cost)
- Energy: what is the EPC rating? (you may be able to find this online if the seller isn’t sure)
- Home insurance: how much is the seller paying? What kind of insurance is this (buildings and contents or just buildings)? Is the seller aware of anything that could affect the premium?
- If viewing a flat or house in a gated community, is there a service charge or ground rent payable?
Other top tips
- Consider taking a trusted friend or family member with you to the viewing. They can act as a second pair of eyes and ears when going through the viewing checklist; making sure you ask and see everything you need to help make up your mind
- If you can, view the house more than once. This allows you to check out anything you may have missed during the excitement of the first look around
- Consider visiting the area on different days and times to see for yourself how much parking space there is, and general noise from the area. Even if you’ve asked those questions, the seller may have a different opinion to you about what they consider busy / noisy
Offering expert mortgage advice for your dream home
With access to thousands of deals with more than 90 lenders, our team of Sheffield-based mortgage advisers can work with you to find the right mortgage for your needs. They’ll be with you every step of the way, from your first viewing until you have the keys in your hand.
To book a free, initial no obligation appointment with an adviser in Sheffield, give us a call on 0114 3583237 or send us an e mail