Viewing a house can be very exciting – it could be your new home! It’s easy to do the viewing in an optimistic mood and decide on the spot you’re going to buy the property, but it’s important to keep a sense of perspective. That optimism will disappear if you’ve got to replace the roof or the boiler.

In this blog, we look at what you should be checking for when you’re considering whether or not to buy a particular house. 

1.     Check for problems that could be expensive to fix

The most important thing to check for are signs that there are structural problems. These could be expensive to put right, or make the property difficult to sell in the future. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert – jot down anything that concerns you and if you decide to put in an offer, ask the surveyor to check the potential problems out for you. If the problems prove to be serious, you need to consider if you can afford to make any necessary repairs once you have bought the house.

Windows and brickwork 

From the outside, have a good look at the property. Do the windows look either well-maintained or like they’ve been installed recently? You can also look at the state of the brickwork, or whether the porch is wonky.

Damp

Inside, keep a nose out for the smell of damp, and check the top and bottom corners of the rooms for black mould or peeling wallpaper. 

Cracks

You might well see a few cracks. Small cracks are usually nothing to worry about, but large, diagonal cracks can be a sign of subsidence.

DIY

Look out for obvious DIY efforts. Usually professional tradespeople will have done a good job that complies with building standards, but DIY is difficult to regulate. A common problem is piping – DIYers sometimes solder copper pipes with lead solder, which can pollute drinking water. 

Fuses and boiler

Check the fuse board and the boiler – both should look new and have a number of years left in them before they need replacing. 

2.      It looks gorgeous, but could you live there?

Is it big enough?

If you’re looking at an unfurnished property, it might seem vast. But how much room will you have once you put your furniture in? Characterful attic rooms are charming, but is there a big enough wall for you to put a bed against? 

If you’re viewing a property where the seller is still living there, or a show home, consider how it will look with your furniture and pictures in place. Will it all fit in? 

Ask yourself too if any of the fittings have been chosen to create an illusion. Is the room really that big, or is it the work of pale paintwork and strategic mirrors? 

Does the space work for you?

Look at how the space is used. You might have asked for a viewing thinking it was a three-bedroom house with a home office. But if the property turns out to have either a third bedroom or a home office, is it still right for you?

If the bedrooms are spread over two floors, it might mean peace and quiet for mum and dad, or anxiety at sleeping in a different part of the house from the children.  If the layout is in any way unusual, give it some careful consideration before you commit. 

Storage

It’s important to check that you will have room to store your possessions, and where you can reach them when you need them. As a general guide, newer houses tend to have less storage than older houses.

Power points

Check how many plug sockets there are and where they are located. If you have to have additional ones installed, it’s not the end of the world – you could take the opportunity to reduce clutter by having some USB ports installed alongside the sockets. 

3.     Ask questions

If you see something that concerns you or you have any questions, just ask – it’s usually the quickest way to set your mind at rest. 

What is included in the sale of the property?

A key thing to find out is what is included with the property (e.g. kitchen appliances or carpets) as this tends to affect the price. Amazingly, dispute over fittings is one of the main reasons house sales fall through so it’s a good idea to ask upfront and use the TA10 Fixtures and Fittings Form for clarification. 

When you view a property with Cobbles, we’ll help you in any way we can. Visit our property pages here - we look forward to showing you round your dream home soon!