10 Useful House Viewing Tips For First Time Buyers
Buying your first house is an incredibly big decision. In fact, it’s probably one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make, and as such, should be given a lot of time and thought. Despite this, many buyers choose to rush the process as much as they can, and then massively regret it later on. In this article we look at some of the things you need to consider before making the biggest purchase of your life.
Buying your first house is an incredibly big decision. In fact, it’s probably one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make, and as such, should be given a lot of time and thought. Despite this, many buyers choose to rush the process as much as they can, and then massively regret it later on. If you’re hoping to buy a home, then it’s vital that you view it first, and that you’re properly prepared for this viewing so that you can get as much information out of it as you can. With that in mind, here are ten useful tips for when you go to view potential properties.
Do Your Research
Your work should start before you even step foot inside a single house, and with the amount of information you can find online, there’s no excuse for not doing a little digging before you get to your first potential property. This means that, when you first get to the house, you’ll already know a little about the area, such as where the closest shops and schools are so that you can avoid asking any unnecessary questions, and stick to the just asking questions about the house itself.
Be On Time
Although you’re looking at somewhere where you might be spending the rest of your life, you still need to treat it like the business deal that it is. This means that you shouldn’t keep homeowners waiting, and should turn up to the house on time. This will reflect favorably on you and could be the difference between the homeowner accepting your offer and turning it down. If you’re going to be late for some reason, then give them a call and let them know; Just be aware that there will likely be other viewings after you, and that you might lose your slot if you’re late.
Take A Friend
If it’s possible, you should always go to a viewing with at least one other person. This could be your partner, a family member, or a friend, or could be an estate agent or inspector. Of course, this is clearly safer, but it’s also useful, as it provides you with another person’s opinion to consider. Your companion might also spot things that you have missed, like necessary repairs, so that you can avoid paying over the odds for a house that needs a lot of work.
Check For Damp
If the property you’re viewing has damp, then this could cause some major problems in the future. Because of this, it’s vital that you’re constantly on the lookout for signs of damp while you’re taking a tour of the house. Things like flaky plaster and bubbly wallpaper could all be indicators, especially if they’re near skirting boards and around the ceiling. If a room looks like it’s been painted recently, you should be cautious, as this could mean the homeowners covered the damp up.
Ask Your Questions
If you’re going to buy a house, then it’s important that you know everything you want and need to about it. This is why you should ask as many questions as you want to while you’re walking around. If the homeowner has nothing to hide, then they should be happy to answer them. Most people find it easier to bring a list of questions along with them to viewings so that they know they haven’t forgotten to ask about anything important.
Be Thorough
This is probably going to be the biggest purchase of your entire life, so no one is going to blame you for being a little bit nosy. There shouldn’t be any problem with you checking everything you come across, in fact, most people would recommend that you do. Because of this, you should make sure to turn on every tap, flush the toilet, open all the cupboards and doors, look in the loft, and generally have a poke around. You may feel awkward doing it, but you’ll be grateful later on.
Check The Storage
As you’re walking around the house, make sure to imagine where you would put all of your belongings. For example, how would you arrange your furniture in the living room, and where would you store your cleaning products. If you can’t figure out where all of your stuff can go, then, chances are, the house doesn’t have enough storage space for you. This means that you’re either going to have to declutter your home and get rid of some things or find a different house.
Remember The Exterior
The inside of the property may be beautiful, but don’t forget to have a look around outside too. After all, if the gardens aren’t looked after and maintained well, then who’s to say that the house has been. Anything outside could be broken and cause you huge problems in the future, including the gutters. If you spot any problems, then you may be able to negotiate a cheaper deal or might just want to pass on the property altogether.
Take Your Time
You should never feel rushed by the current owner or any other viewers. This is a big decision, so take as much time as you feel you need. Feel free to check and double check every single room and ask as many questions as you like. The current owner may have other viewings booked in for later on in the day, but if they were sensible, then they will have left plenty of time between them, so you don’t need to worry.
Go Back Again
There are so many things to consider before buying a house, so it’s easy to forget something in your first viewing. Because of this, you may want to go back for a second look and maybe even a third. In fact, you probably should regardless. Going back again may help you to see the house in a different light, and as such may change your mind or confirm what you thought the first time around. Don’t rush into anything if you’re not completely certain.
If you’re planning to buy a house sometime soon, then I hope that the tips above help you with the viewings.