Viewing a Property to Purchase Checklist

Now that you know what your budget is for a house and the likelihood of being able to get a mortgage to cover the biggest expense of your life, it’s time to go and look for a piece of property to buy. When viewing a property to purchase there are so many things to think about that are more than important than if the place looks nice. You have to be able to look at the house as a building looking at it structurally and for its faults. Viewing it and simply thinking about whether your furniture will look good in it or whether your drapes will match the color of the wall is only superficial. Don’t forget; in some instances professional stagers temporarily furnish and decorate the interiors of property for a living to encourage you to buy it. So, here are a few tips to get you started on what to look for.

Viewing a Property to Purchase Checklist

• Walk slowly through the property. When you visit a potential property with an estate agent they tend to walk you through the place at their pace, moving you swiftly through with the premise of having another appointment.
• Structurally Sound: This is one of the biggest deciding factors to buying property, that isn’t always as obvious as you may think. Look for cracks in the walls, areas around windows and areas that have been extended. It takes a keen eye to find these things and if you have any doubt it is best to engage the services of a structural surveyor.
• Damp signs: One of the most obvious signs to look for is damp spots. You may not necessarily be able to smell it but look for the visible signs such as watermarked ceilings or areas where the paint looks wet. Check the skirting boards as you walk through and look for flaking plaster.
• Plumbing: When you walk into the kitchen and bathroom feel free to turn on all of the taps. Make sure they have running water without leaks and if it says hot water that hot water flows from the faucet. Flush the toilets to make sure they are in working order.
• Question Time: You need to know what questions to ask like how long has it been on the market? Why is being sold? How many potential buyers have already seen the place? What renovations have been done? When it comes to the plumbing and electrics of the property, you can ask to see the electric and gas installation reports.
• Windows: Don’t just look through the windows at the view and walk away. Look at the window casing itself. If it is wooden push it with your finger if it is soft to the touch then there’s condensation problems. Is it double glazed? Does it block out noise from the outside. Does it open – sometimes they are jammed shut – so check.
• The Roof: This one aspect of the property that you are unable to see. You have to be trusting on whatever you are told so do ask how old it is? Has it had any repairs done?
• Faults: Should you find something that is not to your liking or needs fixing before you sign on the dotted line you can try and negotiate the price. Faults can sometimes work to your advantage.
• Rooms: The size of the rooms should be adequate to hold furniture and storage. Are there any closets or built-in storage units? Look for placement and number of electrical outlets per room? Ask about what the flooring is like especially if covered with a carpet?
• Security: Being safe in your new property is of great importance so look at the doors do they creak? Are they new? What type of lock do they have? What are the exit doors like?

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