Choosing the house you want to buy is a big decision, and definitely one that you don’t want to rush into. Yet at the same time, with the property market often moving very quickly – especially in desirable areas – you may find yourself in a position where you have to make a quick choice about whether to make an offer on a property or not after only a short viewing. As such, it’s important to go into these viewings knowing what to look out for. Likewise, you shouldn’t be shy about asking any questions you may have, even if they seem minor. This will ensure that you don’t miss anything important and later regret your decision of which house to buy. To help you out, this post will discuss some of the most important factors to consider when viewing properties.
Rent or buy?
One of the first questions to ask yourself is whether you are looking to rent a property or buy one. Lots of people can’t wait to own their own home, but it’s also a large financial commitment that you should only enter into when you’re ready. Buying is a great option if you have the money for a deposit and are confident that you won’t want to move again in a short period of time because it enables you to have a pet, make almost any changes or alterations to a house that you want, and, of course, the home will be all yours once the mortgage is paid off.
Once you’re confident that buying is the right choice for you, a property agent such as Broadhurst Property in Kyneton can help you to narrow down your options. A big part of deciding which houses to view will be your budget, so be sure to work this out well in advance – and don’t be tempted to go over it! In addition to the asking price itself, remember to take into account the extra cost of any renovation work that will need doing.
The property
When it comes to the actual viewing, there are a lot of factors about a property that you will need to think about. If it’s helpful, feel free to take a paper (or digital) checklist with you to ensure that you don’t forget anything.
Perhaps the biggest factor to consider is structural issues. Take a good look at the exterior of the building for warning signs such as missing roof tiles, cracks in the walls or brickwork, issues with the guttering, and so on. In terms of the interior of a property, you want to be checking for problems such as mold, cracks in the walls or ceilings, damp patches, flaky plaster, discoloration, and similar problems. Bear in mind that as a layperson, there’s only so much you’ll be able to spot, so if you like the look of a property, it’s vital to get a survey done by a professional company before completing the purchase.
Outside of structural concerns, there are, of course, many other aspects of a property you’ll want to consider during a viewing. A lot of these will be personal to your unique needs and preferences but may include factors such as:
- How many bedrooms there are, and how big they are
- Whether you want a house or an apartment
- How large the kitchen, living area, and other rooms are
- Whether or not the bedrooms have ensuites
- How much storage space there is
- Whether the property is in good decorative order
- Whether the windows are double glazed
- Whether the house has outside space, such as a garden or balcony
- Whether there are enough electrical outlets
- The availability of parking spaces
- Whether the house is suitable for pets and children
Decide in advance which aspects you’re willing to compromise on and which are dealbreakers. Then take your time, ask the agent any necessary questions, and be sure to tick off everything on your list.
The local area
The property is, of course, your main concern; however, it’s not the only factor that matters. You also need to take into account the neighborhood that the house is located in and whether you would be happy to live there. This is particularly important to consider if you don’t know the area very well. Be sure to visit during both the daytime and nighttime to get an accurate picture of what a place is like. As with the property checklist, the factors that you need to think about when it comes to the local area will vary according to your personal needs and preferences, but possible questions to answer include:
- Where are the nearest shops and supermarkets?
- How close are other important amenities, such as parks, coffee shops, the post office, and the library?
- Are there any pubs or bars nearby that might get noisy at night?
- Are there good schools close by?
- How efficient is the public transport?
- How busy does the road the house is situated on get?
- What is the local crime rate like?
- Would you be comfortable walking around the neighborhood alone at night?
