How to view a home
You like the look of a property on paper, but there's no substitute for seeing it for yourself. Most of us instinctively know within minutes of a viewing if a property's for us. However, buying a property is a big investment. It's easy to get emotional during viewings so taking someone with you for a second opinion will help you remain objective and use your head. They may also see problems where you don't or see opportunities that you've missed.
If you find a property that you think is 'the one', visit it at different times of the day and week to get an accurate picture. Check for traffic noise, parking, how the light differs and so on.
Take along a checklist of your must-have features and go through them one by one. Unless you have hundreds of thousands of pounds to spare, you may find you have to compromise on certain aspects and forget the ideals. In fact around 25% of buyers change their mind about what they want once they start looking at properties! If a property's not 100% right, look at how it could be adapted to meet your requirements. Is there a separate outbuilding for example that you could convert into that much wanted office? Is there a surplus utility room you could knock through to get you that bigger kitchen? Keep a broad mind and look at all the options.
It's easy to be won over or even put off by other people's décor so try and see through the decoration and look at what you're really getting – see the potential. Orange walls or flock wallpaper are all superficial and are easy enough to cover up! It can be even more off-putting if a house needs renovation work. But remember, this is likely to mean you're getting a bigger house for your money and with a little time and investment, think what you could do to make it your own.
Have a good look around at the condition of the property. Although a surveyor will pick up on the fundamental flaws, it's helpful to get an idea yourself of any obvious defects so you can make an informed decision when making an offer. Obvious things to look for include signs of damp such as damp patches, bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper, newly painted areas and a musty smell. Look for evidence of leaks, especially underneath the bathroom as showers have a habit of leaking. Outside, check the general condition of the paintwork, brickwork and roof tiles. Check that basics such as taps, showers and light switches work and find out when boilers and fuse boxes were last tested.
Don't buy the first house you see. Even if you love it and it appears to be perfect, view at least five others to compare what you're getting for your money. Use the following criteria to compare properties you're interested in buying.
Use the square foot test to work out if you're getting a fair deal. Calculate the square footage of the property from the layout or room dimensions and divide it into the asking price to get a cost per square foot.
Property type
Is it detached, semi-detached, terraced, a townhouse, a bungalow, Grade 1 listed, a flat etc?
Property age
When was the property built? Is it brand new? Post 60s, Victorian, etc
Area
Eg. Commuter town, village/hamlet, city centre
Property features
- No. of bedrooms/reception rooms/bathrooms
- Conservatory
- Loft conversion
- Extension
- Garage – single/double
- Driveway/off-road parking
- Garden and size
Condition
What work needs to be done? If the property's been completely refurbished recently, you may be able to afford a higher asking price in lieu of the amount you will save doing the work yourself.
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