The Ultimate House Viewing Checklist

Viewing a house can be daunting, and it’s easy to get so overwhelmed by the thought of moving in that you can overlook some really important things. Our advice? Be prepared! By creating a plan and getting your mind in the right zone you’ll be in a good place to make an informed decision. To help, we’ve made a list of some of the essential things to include in your house viewing checklist.

1. Have you spoken to anyone in the area about living there?

The best way to get an honest opinion about your area is to ask local residents; they won’t have an agenda so it’s the best way to get a true feel for what the place is going to be like. Ask about local schools and what the local council is like. Find out if there are any pubs or bars nearby, to work out what night time noise levels are like. Also, make sure to ask about different times of the day and days of the week – it’s bound to change between weekends and weekdays. Remember, what you see is just a snapshot of the whole picture. Find out if any amenities are close by. We suggest adding a list of essential things to your house viewing checklist, so you can structure your questions around what’s important to you.

2. Have you asked about the gas, plumbing and heating?

It’s a bit of a boring question, but essential. It’s important to know these things so you don’t find yourself with lots of nasty bills. Check the taps to gauge the water pressure and to test the quality of the fittings. Make sure you know the type of boiler and how old it is. Boilers are expensive to replace so it’s important that you can rely on the one in the house now. Also, ask if the pipes and house are insulated. Again, this is something that will cost a lot to sort when you move in, if not up to scratch. Without insulation, you can lose hundreds of pounds in heating bills every year and begin to resent your cold living areas. So make sure you’ve ticked all these questions off your house viewing checklist because they really are crucial.

3. Have you checked for signs of damp?

Most people already have this at the top of their house viewing checklist, but it’s important not just to look for damp, but to also use your nose. Small patches of damp can be hidden behind furniture, but the smell cannot. Any musty whiffs are probably not a good sign.

4. Have you asked about the roof and the attic?

Check how old the roof is because replacing one is very expensive. If the roof is older than twenty years, you may want to check the quality and make sure it’s sealed properly. Also, if possible, ask to see the attic. It can be a key storage area, so it’s important to know its size and how accessible it is. Just because the roof seems big doesn’t always mean you get a big attic, as sometimes the beams make it inaccessible. However, a good sized attic may be an area to convert into another room or office, which could be a good investment.

Next time you view a house, don’t forget to bring a house viewing checklist along with you to make sure you don’t forget any important details!

To arrange a viewing for any of our property listings, get in touch today.