Things to look out for when you view
When you move into a property, it will be empty - just bare walls and carpet - and you could repaint the entire place with very little trouble, so you shouldn't allow yourself to be to put off by how rooms look now. And you should try to put out of your mind the sellers’ bad taste. On the other hand, these are some important factors to take into account.
How big is each bedroom? If a property is being sold with a particular number of bedrooms, you must satisfy yourself that each bedroom really is usable as a bedroom, and not just as a leftover box room.
Smell. Damp and rot problems can reveal themselves by musty or unpleasant smells. So can ventilation problems. If the seller fortuitously appears to be roasting coffee beans or cooking bread at the time of the visit, you may wonder what he is trying to cover up!
Recent wallpapering or repainting. If a particular wall appears to have been recently papered or painted, you should ask why, because it can often be done to hide some problem like a subsidence crack or dampness.
Noise. If a property is double glazed (or even if it isn't) you will probably want to open the windows in the summer. So you should open them during a viewing to see how much noise there is. If the property is right near a main road which is going to create constant noise, that may put you off the property. Double glazing cuts down on noise, but you probably don't want the windows shut in July.
Cupboard space. See if there is enough cupboard space for your family's needs. In particular, look for built-in wardrobes in the bedrooms. Remember that if you have to put in new cupboards or wardrobes in a room, that will make it even smaller. So if you are being shown a tiny bedroom don't just imagine putting in a bed, but also putting in wardrobes. If it doesn't work comfortably, then you would be overpaying if you price the house on the number of bedrooms.
Check doors. You should open and shut all cupboard doors, and pull out all drawers to see how they work. This will tell you whether you're going to have to replace kitchen and bathroom units. It is also a good indication of the quality of the kitchen units.
Damp. Look out for any signs of damp. This could be in the form of wet patches on a wall or condensation round window sills. You would want to know the cause before you buy, and make sure it can be remedied easily.
The outside. On the first viewing, you probably concentrated on the house itself. On the second viewing, have a look round the outside, at the state of the garden and at any sheds and paving. Check if the property can be overlooked by the neighbours. Check the state of fences to see if they don't need to be repaired or replaced. Are there trees in the neighbours’ garden which will block out sunlight from your garden?
Here is a further list of points to consider:
- Ask when the central heating boiler was last serviced.
- Turn the shower on to check the water pressure.
- Look for gaps in the roof covering.
- Check what condition the garden walls or fences are in.
- Peeling wallpaper may indicate a damp problem.
- Damp patches or stains on the ceiling, which could indicate leaking pipes.
- Condensation on windows may suggest a condensation problem. The sellers will have taken steps to reduce it as far as possible, so it will probably be worse when you move in.
- Check what storage room there is.
- Do the floors feels springy? - this can indicate a problem with the joists below.
- Are there enough electrical sockets for your needs?
- Is there a damp proof course? - this is a row of slates or pitch in the brickwork about 6 inches off the ground level.
- Is the guttering damaged or blocked? - signs would be water on the wall or moss growing on the wall.
- Do any walls bulge or have obvious cracks?
- Are there any missing roof tiles? - bring binoculars.
- Are sheds and greenhouses included in the price?
- Is the property on a steep slope?
- Is there any fresh paint? - this could conceal damp problems.
Viewing suggestions
Different times of day
If you visited the first time in the daytime, then come back when it's dark for the second viewing, or the other way round. A room that may seem cosy with lamps on, may seem dark in daylight. A quiet street by day may be dangerous by night.
Take binoculars
We recommend you should take binoculars and look carefully at the roof. Obviously, you are not a surveyor, but it is worth noting if a lot of slates or tiles are slipping or if there is a bow in the roof, since that would indicate that there may be some major building work you will have to carry out.
Walk round the block
Walk down the street and round neighbouring streets to get a feel for security, lighting, and noise. Much of the year you are likely to be coming home to the property in the evening when it's dark, so you need to feel secure.