How to make the most of a house viewing

If you think too hard about a house viewing it can all of a sudden seem pretty daunting – particularly if you’re a first-time buyer. Your home is likely to be the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, yet you’ll only actually see it for 20 minutes or so before putting down a lot of money.

The trick is to not rush, remain level-headed and go into it with your eyes open. We’ve provided some key tips below, but try not to overthink every point. After all – this could end up being your new home!

Be sure to have a proper look around and be wary of any strategic staging hacks. This means to have a good look behind the curtains and any strategically placed mirrors. Remember that clever lighting can trick the eyes, fresh licks of paint might be covering up damp and calming music can mask a busy road. It's easy to overlook things that could end up being expensive further down the line so be sure to take your time.

The expensive stereo, fancy photo frames and gorgeous kitchen gadgets you love, they'll all be leaving the house with the current owner. It’s easy to be wowed by material goods, but it’s the bricks and mortar that require your attention.

Equally, the gaudy floral wallpaper and avocado green bathroom suite can all be changed if they’re not to your liking. You may come away from the viewing with a strong feeling about the place, but try to separate aesthetics from the things that really matter.

Keep your eyes peeled for the tell-tale evidence of damp. Firstly, there’s a distinctive fusty smell. Secondly, there’s clear discolouration and patches on the walls to look out for. Thirdly, it’ll almost certainly be hidden behind sofas, cupboards or anything else put in place to disguise it – so look hard. Damp can often be resolved, but it can also be a costly and expensive nightmare so it can be a good idea to do some research into how much time and money it will cost to fix before making an offer. 

Cracked walls are another thing to watch out for. Most old houses have a few, which is often fine. New builds can have thin settlement cracks, which is perfectly normal. It’s the larger cracks you need to be wary of – make sure a surveyor sees them before making any big decisions.

Be it your parents, a good friend or a close colleague. An extra pair of eyes can be invaluable when going to a house viewing. Someone who isn't involved is especially good as they won’t have the same emotional attachment to the process that you do. Ask them to point out the positives and negatives so you walk away with a balanced view.

View twice. Three times, if you’re able to. Each time you’ll notice something different. Try to see the property at different times of the day, too and take someone else with you for a second opinion. A sunny day can make all the difference to what it looks like on a gloomy evening.

Be sure to ask as many questions as you can. If the estate agent or owner can’t answer your query there and then, politely ask them to find out at a later date. It can be handy to make a list of queries beforehand so you don’t get excited on the day and forget them.

Questions like these are a good place to start:

• why are you selling?
• how long has the property been on the market?
• what are the neighbours like?
• have you had any offers yet?
• what are the nearby transport links like?

Step out and inspect the garden and any other outdoor areas. Are they well looked after? Will they need maintenance? Are the boundaries defined? Double-check which way the house faces while you’re out there, too. Think about which rooms get the best light and whether or not the garden gets the sun. When you’re done admiring the garden, remember to look up. See if the roof needs any obvious work.

Once you're done taking in the property, go and see what the rest of the street and neighbouring areas are like, too. If you're unfamiliar with the area, pop into a shop and ask them about what it's like to live there to get a bit more insight.

There’s so much to take in that you may end up forgetting most of the detail – so pull out your smart phone and snap away. Get as many photos as you can because their reality will differ greatly from the beautifully presented images listed with the property. They’ll be good to refer to later. Oh, and take a tape measure and be sure to make notes. If you’ve got any existing furniture, you’ll want to know it fits. 

The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.

You should obtain relevant legal or other advice if you are unsure about the effect on you of any matter in this document.