What To Look For When Viewing A House

Do you think it is worth spending just 20 minutes looking at a home to purchase – whether online or in person – that’s likely to be your new home for a long time? A few home buyers do and then regret it. We’ve compiled our best tips on what to look out for when buying an apartment and a checklist of the things to look for when you visit a property.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the biggest financial investment, so it’s essential you know what you should be looking for when you visit the house. Knowing what you should look for when you’re looking at a home right from the beginning makes you more likely to locate the right property to meet your requirements best. Also, you’ll be on watch for any possible pitfalls. This is our list of items to keep an eye on when looking at a home.

1. What should you look for when you visit a home: Do you see damp?

What should you look for when purchasing a home? Be on the lookout for indications of damp. The most obvious signs of dampness are a smelly mould as well as flaky plaster and ceilings or walls that are watermarked. This may sound simple, but when it is about what to look at when you are looking at a home be sure to pay attention to the ceiling and your skirting boards. Another indication is if the room was recently painted – perhaps covering any damp.

2. Does the structure of the houses for sale have a solid foundation?

Cracks that are large are what you should be looking for when purchasing an apartment – however, you should be prepared for to see some hairline cracks. Pay attention to the places where extensions meet, at the end of terrace walls and bay windows, each of which could begin to bow or fall away from the remainder of the house. It is essential to include this on your list of things to be looking for when visiting the house, as you could inquire with the owner or the estate representative about this, and then request a surveyor to look into it later.

However, when it comes to the things to look for when purchasing a home, you are only able to look for the things you are familiar with. However, having an inspection of the house will aid you in identifying dangers and determine what requires attention. Therefore, having a survey could be worth the cost when they find problems that are costly to repair.

3. How many storage spaces are there?

When you are considering what you should look for when purchasing a home, you must think about how you can live in the house. Storage space is an important but frequently overlooked feature when you are considering homes to purchase. Add this to your list of things you should look for when looking at homes.

Where do you store your vacuum cleaner towels, spare linen and other boxes of junk? Are there enough cupboards or shelves to build into? Particularly in newly constructed homes storage space is often limited.

4. Which direction is the house facing?

In winter, on a dark, cloudy day or night it can be difficult to distinguish between a south and north facing garden or house – however, in summer, it could be a distinction between a house with lots of light and warmth, or one that’s dark and dreary. This is a crucial thing to be aware of when it comes to the things to look for when purchasing a home.

Do not be afraid to bring an compass for your property inspection You may have one in your phone. Bi-fold doors are all popular, remember that during sunny times the sun’s rays can cause the room to become extremely warm and hot, so make this part of the things you’re looking for when you are buying a home and make an effort to go and take a look around the space when the sun is out.

5. Are the rooms large enough to meet your requirements?

We’ve heard about new-build homeowners putting smaller furniture into rooms to make them appear larger. Beware! When it comes to what to look for in homes in the event that you aren’t purchasing all new furniture when the house is completed, think about what furniture you have already got?

6. Are you fooled by staged events?

Strategically placed mirrors, cleverly placed mirrors lighting, delicious scents, warm fires, and coats of paint are just a few ways that sellers can enhance the appeal of their homes. It’s nice to know that you’re able to move into the home without doing anything, but you should try to be neutral. If their furniture is a problem for the room feel cluttered, snap photos and inquire about what they’re leaving to be left behind. The perfect light fittings, for instance, could be a long time to locate and replace!

Include this on your list of things you should look for when looking at the house you are looking at.

7. Do the frames of your windows have cracked paint? Do you have double-glazing that is in good condition?

One thing to look for when buying an investment property is the condition of the window frames that are outside. This is a good indication of the condition of the home – if the owners have put in and taken care of the frames, they are likely to have taken good care of the other. This is why it is crucial when it comes to knowing what to look for in the house.

If you are able to easily insert your finger into a wooden window frames, they are generally rotten. If you notice condensation between windows with double glazing, it is a sign that they’re defective. Windows that are new must be installed by an certified inspector, so you must obtain an FENSA or similar certificate that usually comes with a guarantee. Include this on your list of things to look for when purchasing a home.

8. How old is the roof?

Removing the roof can be costly and the latest roofs are expected to last of just 15-20 years dependent on the material. It is therefore essential to consider this when deciding what you should look for when you are looking at a home.

If the home has a flat or flat roof, look at the materials that it is has been sealed. Today, membranes are used and is superior to gravel and asphalt, which may leave edges and seams unsealed.

9. Are there enough power points ? And in what is their condition?

Unsafe wiring could be dangerous and wiring your new home could be a costly business. Be sure to check the fuse board . It is often it is a sign of the condition of the wiring, but a inspection will determine if it requires replacement. The availability of plug points is an obvious attraction in today’s technologically driven society, so it’s should be added on your checklist of things to look for when looking at the house you are looking at.

10. Things to look for when looking at a home Are the plumbing fixtures up to par?

Check the faucets to determine the pressure of water. Check if the pipes are well-insulated and aren’t lead, which means they will need to be replaced. Are the radiators working? What is the age of the boiler? When the water heater is located on the roof, it’s likely to be old, and could need to be replaced in the near future. the things to be looking for when purchasing a home.

Don’t take the word of an estate agent as it to be all good. If you are buying a house, it is recommended for a survey of your house completed.

11. Does the house have adequate soundproofing?

If the seller has television or radio on, request that it be reduced so that you don’t hear the words of your neighbors. This is crucial in determining what to look for when looking at the house. It’s also a good idea to schedule viewings at different time of the day.

12. What should you look for when purchasing an apartment: What’s the attic like?

Many people do not think about the attic however it is an essential part of the home and must be included on your list of things you should look for when looking at the house. What is the ease of access? Are there enough storage spaces? Can it be used to create additional rooms? Are there insulation? Are there any other things to look for when purchasing a home. This can be a major difference in your monthly bills as well as general satisfaction during winter.

13. Things to consider when purchasing a home What’s the neighborhood like?

In terms of what to look for in an apartment, it’s not only the house you’ll have to think about. It is also important to think about the location as well. For instance:

Are you in the vicinity of a pub or kebab shop, or bar that gets rowdy in the late night?
Are you able to walk to the shops for a pint of milk or do you need to drive?
Is it simple to access public transportation?
Are there any noisy roads or railway tracks in the vicinity?
Are you on the flight route?
Do you know of a dump within the smelling distance?
Are you in the vicinity of an institution that makes it difficult to leave your car at school run time?
Are you located in a conservation zone?

Most important is it a place that feels like you could call it your own home? Google Street View is an excellent method to discover the region from the comfort at home.

If you are interested in the property, schedule another appointment for an alternative time and explore the area more. If you are able, bring someone with you who may be able to spot things that you aren’t.

Virtual viewing

There are a variety of options in the realm of virtual tours; they could be recorded or live tour conducted by the owner or agent. If it’s live, then take it slow, ask plenty of questions. Make sure you request to view the inside of cabinets as well as the fuse board and the boiler. It is recommended to examine the window frames, and then look at the views through the windows.

It can be difficult to grasp the area and the neighborhood and that’s why Google Street View can be of assistance. When you access it through Google Maps you can get an idea of the area and how it has changed in the past.

Frequently asked questions

A typical house inspection lasts about 30 minutes, so you ought to have enough time to go through your list of things to look for when you visit a home. If you don’t have enough time, you could ask follow-up questions or schedule another viewing.