Things To Remember When Viewing A Property

Things To Remember When Viewing A Property

So many people walk into a property and fall in love with the interior that they forget the things they really need to consider. So, we've devised these 'top tips' for you to bare in mind whilst you view your potential future home.

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH STORAGE SPACE?
When you view your property - think about your storage. Where are you going to store cleaning equipment; junk; toiletries or kitchen goods? It's important that you consider this before moving otherwise your rooms can become quickly jam-packed with things you really don't need - and it's surprising how quickly spare room can be filled.

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH LIGHT?
Considering the light in your home is important - you don't want your home to appear dark and dingy in the wintery months. Taking into account whether your property is north or south facing is usually dismissed when viewing a property however, for some, it could change your whole opinion on the place. 
For those who are keen on gardening or keeping plants on the inside of their homes should definitely consider the position of the property.

IS THERE ANY DAMP?
Looking out for damp is key - it could cost you a small fortune to repair in the future. You could look out for things like water-marks on the ceilings or walls; damp smells; flaking plastering/wallpaper or stained flooring. 

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH ROOM?
It sounds obvious, but make sure you have enough room for all your needs. Don't buy or rent the property just because you love the way it looks - you also need to think practically. If you don't have enough room for everything you need, in terms of both storage or the number of bedrooms/bathrooms etc, than you may need to re-consider whether the property is right for you.

IS THE AREA RIGHT FOR YOU?
Area is IMPORTANT. You need to consider a number of different factors and decide whether they're right for you - this could range from nearby schools to public transport.
Let's think...
Do you drive? If you do - is there parking available? If you don't - is there public transport near you?

Do you have children? If you do - are there primary schools nearby? Is the area child-friendly? Are their nightclubs/bars near? If you don't - are you thinking about it? Do you have enough room in your home for a child in the future?

Are you near an airport/train track? If you are, than make sure you consider the possible noise. Particularly if you have children - this could lead to some sleepless nights!

Do you have nearby shops? Consider whether you're close to a corner shop or supermarket - Are you in a position where you need to drive every-time you run out of milk? Does this suit you?

Are you situated by a large factory or set of offices? You need to think about whether the area you live in is going to have a lot of traffic at peak working hours due to other nearby employers.

WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF THE PROPERTY LIKE? 
Consider things like drainage; plumbing; electrics and how steady the house is itself. Can you see cracks in the wall? Are there any leaks?

WHO ARE YOUR NEIGHBOURS? 
Neighbours are an important consideration - you want to avoid disagreements with them as much as possible! If you're a student, it's probably not the best idea to be neighbours with OAP's. Similarly, if you're a parent with small children, you wouldn't want to be next-door to students playing loud music late at night.



WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPERTY? 
Consider what facilities are included with the purchase of the property - curtains? white goods? oven? washing machine? dishwasher? carpets? Now, think what's missing - what are you going to have to buy yourself when you move in? You must consider additional costs.

HAS THE PROPERTY HAD ANY RENOVATIONS?
It's good to ask the estate agent/owner whether the property has had any recent renovations - Will the property need one soon? Who arranged the building work and was everything safe?
You should also bare in mind that a recent renovation is likely to increase the price of the property - but in the long-run it can be a money-saver for you.

HOW LONG HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN ON THE MARKET?

Don't be too suspicious, but it might be a good idea to know how long the property's been on the market. If it's been on the market for a long time - you might want to consider why that is. There could be an underlying problem with the property that either the owner or estate agent hasn't told you.

WHAT ARE OTHER LOCAL PROPERTIES LIKE?
If your heart is set on the property you've viewed, why not check out other local properties. You might find that you've grabbed yourself a bargain in terms of size whereas you might find that you've been over-charged.
It's also worth checking out the local competition if you're investing in buy-to-let!

IS THE GARDEN RIGHT FOR YOU?
Does the garden meet your requirements? Consider it's size - is it too small? Do you need more space for your children/gardening/greenhouse/shed etc? Your garden could also be too big, for instance, an older person may struggle to maintain a big garden.





DOES IT NEED DECORATING?

It's important to consider your interior with care. It could be clear to you from the first glance that the property needs decorating or, that it's just been newly decorated. If the property hasn't been decorated than you need to consider the potential future costs of decorating yourself - which can be very pricey! 

CONSIDER YOUR CONNECTIONS!
During your viewing, you should consider if you're able to use all the technologies you'd bring with you if you moved into the property. Firstly, see whether your mobile phone gets signal in the area, if not, you should ask the previous residents or the person showing you round whether their mobile's receive signal and what network they're on. You should also ask about details regarding broadband connection and the speed of it in the area - you don't want to find on moving day that you can't use your mobile, internet or TV!