Top Tips When Viewing Properties To Buy

Create a checklist

It is a great idea to create a checklist of all the things your new property must have, in order to make it work for you. This will save you a lot of time and shorten your list of possibilities tremendously. If for example, your new property must have a garage or off street parking, you can automatically rule out, all those that haven’t got it. If your new property must be within a certain distance of the town centre or train station, again, you can rule out all of those that don’t qualify. When you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, you can then look at your list of things you would like your new property to have and check them off as you go round. This sounds like quite a clinical way of going about finding your next home but is stops the heart from getting in the way of decisions your head has already made.

Do a walk-by

Walk past the house even before arranging to view it internally. You can get a good feel for the area and this will give you the opportunity to check the exterior condition and décor. Walk-by’s are a great idea because they bring everything into sharp focus, things that you may have missed when passing by in a car. A walk-by will help you to decide whether to take your enquiry any further.

Check the exterior condition

You can of course do this on your walk-by but if you’ve made the appointment to view, you’ll get a chance to see it close up. Make sure you check the outside of the property as thoroughly as possible before you walk in and as you leave. Check for loose or missing tiles on the roof, cracked or missing rendering to walls and check the brickwork for signs of damage or erosion. Check around the windows and doors for cracks and review the condition of the window frames and exterior paintwork.

Take someone with you

It’s always a good idea to view a property together with a partner or a friend. Apart from the obvious security risks involved when going alone, it is nice to have someone else there to give you an objective, impartial view, to bounce ideas off and to ask the questions that you may either forget, or are too embarrassed to ask yourself. If your partner or friends are busy, ask the agent to go with you.

Check the cupboards

The cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom and the fitted wardrobes will more often than not be included in the sale, so check that they are in good condition and that the sliders work properly. Vendors should not mind nor should they see you as being nosey or intrusive. You are simply taking a healthy interest in what may well turn out to be your next home.

Check the loft

Take a torch along with you to check the loft. The vendor may not have one that works and there may not be a light or power source up there. A torch will also come in handy when looking at the garden especially in the winter when it gets dark quite early.

Check the water works

Check to see how long it takes for the hot water to warm up and to see if the central heating radiators are working properly. Check for noises in the system that might indicate the need for a system overhaul or replacement.

Ask for receipts and guarantees

If any work has been carried out on the property within the current owners tenure, ask to see any receipts and guarantees they may have. Ask if they have any paperwork from the previous owners.

Check the bills

Ask to see the last few fuel bills and the council tax bill, the owners shouldn’t mind as they should read it as a sign that you are genuinely interested in proceeding with the purchase of their property.

Check the fixtures and fittings

Find out what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, e.g. carpets, cooker, curtain poles. This is also a chance to find out whether the vendors are prepared to include anything else or perhaps make other items available to you, by separate negotiation.

Check for damp

On your way around the property always be on the lookout for signs of damp. It is fairly easy to spot and usually manifests as a darkening or yellowing of the paintwork in patches or a musty smell from the fabrics.

Befriend the owner

Get the owner of the property on your side. If they like you, they will feel more disposed towards selling their home to you. They will be conscious that they don’t want their beloved home of “x” years to go to someone they don’t like and they won’t want their neighbours to think badly of them after they’ve gone.

Also, if you make friends with them during your initial visit, they are more likely to remember you and will be happier to have you round for a second time. They will be happy for you to bring mum and dad or even a builder if you wish, as these are all positive signs of your real intent to buy.

Homes for Sale in Ipswich – Jonathan Waters Estate Agents can assist you in finding your next home. Contact us today and we will put you on our mailing list.