Viewing a property

It’s easy to get carried away when you see a property you like, but you need to look beyond the nice decoration and fancy furniture to the things that will make a difference when you’re actually living there. When you view a property, go armed with a notebook and pen and jot down details as you go. Don’t just rely on the estate agent’s blurb – your own observations are as important as the specifications. Afterwards, give each property marks out of ten.

When’s the best time to see a property?

Go at least twice, once in daylight and once at night. If you go in the summer, be aware that it may not look quite so picturesque when the days are dark and grey. If you view in the winter, you can look forward to a brighter outlook, as well as checking out how cosy it is (or not) when the weather turns cold.

What to look for

First thing is – don’t be put off by the seller’s taste in decor! Look beyond the psychedelic rugs and the collection of china bulldogs, and imagine your own very tasteful stuff in place. It’s always fascinating to see how other people live, though, isn’t it? And very easy to get distracted. Most ladies find it helpful to take a checklist of things to look out for:

Signs of subsidence inside - cracks in walls and ceilings, and doors that don’t hang properly. q Signs of damp inside – the smell of damp, mould and flaking paintwork. Also check for signs of condensation, such as rotting window frames.
The layout – how well will your appliances and furniture fit? Are there any strangely shaped rooms that will be difficult to furnish? What fixtures and fittings will be left by the owner?
How well is it insulated? If there’s a loft, turn the light off to check whether you can see any chinks of daylight through the roof (you shouldn’t be able to!)
How old is the central heating system? Ask to see a winter heating bill.
How old is the electric wiring, and are there plenty of power points?
Outside, check the condition of guttering and drainpipes. Are there any missing roof tiles? Cracks in the external walls? Are there any large trees growing very near the property which could cause root damage to the foundations?

Take a ‘viewing kit’

Containing the things you can’t do without (similar to a handbag, then, but especially relevant when viewing property) Include:

Notepad and pen
Camera
Property details
Measuring tape

It can also be incredibly helpful to take a friend with you – someone who knows you well will be able to give you an interesting second opinion.

Stay safe

Take care of yourself – be safety conscious when you go on a viewing on your own. That means, let a friend know where you are going and when you should be back – and arrange to let them know you are safe afterwards. And if you feel at all uneasy in the area, wait for the estate agent in your car, with the doors locked.

*Interesting Fact: Recent research shows that over the past 5 years, an incredible 18.8 million people chose to move house to achieve a better quality of life.

*Abbey survey cited in What Mortgage website March 2007