Buying a house is likely to be your biggest financial decision so it’s vital you know what to look for when viewing a house. Knowing what to look for when viewing a house from the outset means your more likely to find a property that suits your needs best. Plus you’ll be on the alert for any potential pitfalls. Here’s our checklist of things to look out for when viewing a property
Buying a house is likely to be your biggest financial decision so it’s vital you know what to look for when viewing a house. Knowing what to look for when viewing a house from the outset means your more likely to find a property that suits your needs best. Plus you’ll be on the alert for any potential pitfalls. Here’s our checklist of things to look out for when viewing a property
Your real estate agent should be present at any property you view, so they can get a better understanding of what you like and dislike about the home. They can also answer many questions, as well as give you advice on whether the house is a good fit based on your wants and needs.
If you have a spouse or partner, they should attend a viewing. In some cases, you may decide to go alone to the first selections your real estate agent shows you, then narrow down the options to two or three strong possibilities. Though this seems like it would save time by eliminating homes that are an obvious no-go, seeing these poor fits can help spark important conversations with your partner about what you really want in a home. For that reason, it’s ideal for both of you to look at every house.
You may wish to take one other person, such as a close friend or family member who is a contractor or offers other expertise about residential properties. However, it’s often best to wait on bringing in a third person until you have your options narrowed down to only the most likely candidates.
When attending a scheduled viewing or open house, it’s best if you don’t bring your children. Younger kids can become bored and need attention at a time when you should be focused on looking critically at each home. Even older children should only look at the houses you deem to be front runners, as they can get excited about features that aren’t on your list and then be disappointed that you didn’t, for example, choose the house with the swimming pool or the loft in the kids’ room.
Your agent should have done some research on any property they’re showing to you. If for any reason you’re not seeing the property with your agent, such as during an open house, find out these answers from your agent when you can.
How long has the property been on the market? Properties that have been sitting for some time may have more motivated sellers. There also could be a major problem that’s stopped other potential buyers. Alternatively, if a home hasn’t been available for long, you may need to prepare to act fast in making an offer.
What is the cost of comparable homes in the area? Your agent should have an idea of whether the property you’re viewing is reasonably priced compared to other houses like it. If the cost is higher than expected, you should be ready to negotiate should you decide to make an offer. If it’s lower, this could mean there’s a problem with the home.
Is the home in a flood zone? Or likely to be impacted by other natural disasters? Your agent can check the homes you’re interested in against a FEMA map of flood zones, or may have enough expertise in the area to know which properties are more likely to be at risk in case of natural disasters.
Is there a homeowners association? You’ll want to know if the area has rules and regulations you must follow, as well as any fees, when they’re due and what they pay for. You may have more questions that your agent can answer after viewing several properties, but it’s good to know this information before becoming too attached to any home.
You may have additional questions you ask about a property, but these are a good start to give you a basic understanding of the home and its condition.
1. Why is the seller moving?
A seller who is leaving the area to take a different job or who has outgrown the home has a very different reason for moving than someone who doesn’t get along with the neighbors. Knowing why the seller is leaving can also help you know if you can negotiate the price. If the seller is highly motivated, you may have some room to make additional requests for contingencies in your offer.
2. What comes with the property?
Fixtures like faucets and built-in closets should stay with the home, but you can ask to make sure. Appliances, chandeliers, drapes and outdoor sheds or play structures sometimes stay with the home, but may also be taken by the seller.
3. How old is the roof?
Replacing the roof is a big expense, and one that people expecting to move might put off. A new roof can cost several thousand dollars, so find out if that’s needed. A roof in need of repair could also be a problem for your lender, and you may have to negotiate with the seller to replace it before you can get your mortgage.
4. How old — and how efficient — is the heating and cooling system?
An ancient furnace will cost a considerable amount to replace. Even a newer furnace or heat pump may be loud or lack the energy efficiency that current models provide. You’ll want to find out more about how the home is heated and cooled and whether repairing or replacing that system will be an immediate concern.
5. Are there any disclosures?
Sellers are required to report if there could be lead paint in the house. And in some locations, they also need to disclose the presence of asbestos, mold and water or pest damage. If the seller doesn’t know, though, they can’t be expected to reveal the information. Even if you want to have a specialized inspection that tests for asbestos or other harmful materials, the seller may not permit it. For homes built during the time those materials were commonly used, you may have to use your best guess and resolve to pay if you need to remove these materials.
6. Are there any problems with the house?
Even though the seller may not legally have to reveal some information about the home, many will. They don’t want you to get to the inspection stage, be surprised about a problem and back out of the sale. Listen carefully to any information the seller gives you about the home’s condition. You may also find out that many key fixtures have been replaced recently, which is good news.
7. Have you made any additions or renovations?
Sometimes, additions aren’t reflected in the home’s official records, so the actual square footage is more than you initially thought. That can be one reason for a higher price.
If additions have been made, ask about the contractor used. If a homeowner likes “do-it-yourself” projects, they may not have used the proper techniques or gotten permits for the work done. It’s best to be cautious about any major work done by a homeowner who is not a licensed contractor.
8. What’s the water pressure like?
Minimal water pressure can greatly diminish your enjoyment of the home and be expensive to fix. Check for water coming from shower heads and sinks. Turn on water in two areas of the home and see if that reduces flow.
9. Has the property been surveyed recently? Where are the pins?
To avoid any clashes over property lines, find out if there are surveying markers that show the boundaries of the yard. Make sure there are no fences or structures that extend over the line.
10. Are there any easements?
An easement is a legal right of a neighbor to access your property. This can happen if a shared driveway, for example, starts on your land and branches off to other houses. If you have any plans for the yard, you’ll want to know if there’s anything you can’t change.
Your real estate agent can suggest additional questions based on your requirements for a home. It’s helpful to write down the answers for each property and keep a document that compares each home you’re considering. Getting answers and knowing what to expect can help you make the homebuying process move more smoothly.
If you’re just starting your homebuying journey, it’s helpful to get prequalified for a mortgage. Talk to a Home Lending Advisor for help.
The main giveaway signs of damp are a moldy smell, flaky plaster, and watermarked walls or ceilings. It sounds obvious, but when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house, make sure you look closely near the ceiling and around the skirting boards. Another clue might be if the room has just been repainted – possibly covering any damp.
Big cracks are what to look for when buying a house – but you should expect some hairline cracks. Look especially around where extensions join, end-of-terrace walls, and bay windows, all of which can start to fall or bow away from the rest of the house. It’s vital to add this to your list of what to look for when viewing a house because you can ask the homeowner or estate agent about it and then ask a surveyor to investigate later.
When it comes to what to look for when buying a house you need to think about the practicalities of living there. Storage space is a valuable but often overlooked asset when you are looking at potential homes to buy. So add this to your list of what to look for when viewing a house.
Where will you keep your vacuum cleaner, towels, spare linen, and boxes of junk? Is there room for cupboards or shelves to be built in? Especially in newly built houses, storage space can be scarce.
IIn winter, during a cloudy day or at night, it is difficult to tell the difference between a north and south facing house or garden – but in summer it can make the difference between a home that is full of light and warmth, and one that is frustratingly dark. And this is important to check when it comes to what to look for when buying a house.
Don’t be shy about taking a compass with you to the property viewing – you might have one on your phone. With bi-fold doors all the rage, be aware that in moments of sunshine the solar gain can make the room unbearably warm, so add this to your things to look for when buying a house checklist and try to visit and spend some time in that room when the sun’s out.
We’ve heard of new build home developers putting smaller furniture in rooms to make them seem bigger. Be warned! So when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house, assuming you won’t be buying all new furniture as soon as you move in, ask yourself will your existing furniture fit?
One of the things to check when you are buying a house is the state of the external window frames. This is a great indicator of the state of the house – if people have invested in and looked after those, they are likely to have taken great care of the rest. So this is important when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house.
If you can easily push your finger into wooden window frame, they are usually rotten. If there is condensation between double-glazed window-panes it means that they are faulty. New windows need to be installed by a registered approved inspector so you should get a FENSA or similar certificate, which often come with guarantees. Add this to your checklist of what to look for when buying a house.
Dodgy wiring can be dangerous, and rewiring your new home can be an expensive business. Also check out the fuse board – often an indication of the state of the wiring but a survey will confirm if it needs replacing. Having enough plug points is apparently a big selling point in our increasingly gadget driven world so worth adding to your list of what to look for when viewing a house.
Run the taps to check the water pressure. Ask if the pipes are insulated, and ensure they are not lead which would have to be replaced. Do the radiators actually work? How old is the boiler? If the hot water tank is situated in the roof it is probably an old one, and may have to be replaced soon are all things to look for when buying a house.
And don’t just take the estate agent’s word for it that is all OK. When you buy a property it’s advisable to arrange to get a house survey done.
The Kitchen
The kitchen tends to be one of the most renovated parts of a house and you certainly shouldn’t settle for a sub-par cooking area. Take note of the fixtures, counters and design as a whole when viewing the house. Here are the questions you should be asking when viewing the kitchen:
What fixtures and fittings are included in the sale (counters, refrigerators)? Are all fitted cupboards in good condition? Remember to check inside. Are the taps and drains functioning? Test them when appropriate. Are the built-in kitchen appliances such as oven and extractor fan working? Will the kitchen be professionally cleaned before you move in? Is there any sign of damp or mould underneath the sink? Is there much storage? Is there enough space for a dining table and chairs? What size fridge/freezer would fit?
The Bathroom
Bathrooms are an important part of any property, but they can sometimes be neglected in terms of renovation. A poorly maintained bathroom can cause all sorts of problems within a house, so keep the following in mind:
Is there adequate ventilation? Do all hot water taps work? Again. test them if you can. Are there any signs of mould or mildew? Is the silicon sealant still water tight? Is there a bath or shower? Is the bath panel loose? Is there signs of rot underneath? What is the water pressure like? Does the toilet flush? Is there a shaver socket?
Living Room and Dining Room
You’ll probably spend a large amount of time in both the living room and the dining room so be sure to check them thoroughly. It’s likely to be the area you redecorate and change to fit your own tastes after moving in, so here’s what to ask yourself:
How much light does the room get? To all the light switches actually work? Is there textured wallpaper or ceiling plaster? Is the wall behind sofas and counters clean and smooth? Any unsightly wall mounts? Is there a fireplace and is it functioning? Are there enough radiators and wall plugs? Are the carpets in good condition? Does it have ample storage? Are there any cracks in the wall?
Bedrooms
These private spaces are likely to be redesigned to fit your personal tastes and style, so it’s worth concentrating on the quality and size of the rooms during the property viewing. Here’s what you should consider:
What size bed would fit there? Is there a built-in wardrobe? Is there enough storage? Is the flooring, carpet and wallpaper in good condition? Are the rooms well ventilated? Is there any sign of mould or mildew? Is the size adequate? Are curtains and fittings included in the sale? Do the lights currently work? Is there a working lock on the door?