With high demand for properties and limited supply in the market, people looking to move may be feeling the pressure. If you find a home that ticks all the boxes, it’s tempting to rush in with an offer. But regardless of market conditions, it’s a good idea for home buyers to weigh up whether the property is right for you, and to check that it doesn’t come with any unpleasant or costly surprises.
Whether you’re first-time buyers or homeowners moving within Clapham or Battersea, it’s easy to drift from room to room, getting a feel for the place. That’s important, but your need to be practical when you view a property. There are some key checks you need to make when you’re viewing a property, and questions you need to ask your vendors or their estate agent. This will mean you approach your decision on the property fully briefed on its good and bad points.
Based on our experience of selling houses in south west London, we’ve created our ultimate house viewing checklist with 16 key things to look out for and the essential questions to ask when viewing a property:
1 Does it have damp?
You can ask the sellers this, but they might not be honest so look for signs of damp before buying a property. Use your nose to sniff out any musty smells – the biggest indicator of damp. Look for signs they’ve painted over damp patches or hairline cracks too.
2 Is it structurally sound?
This should show up in your house survey, particularly if you go for the full building option, but it’s worth asking about any structural problems too. Do your own preliminary checks for signs of subsidence such as cracks wider than a 10p coin, bulging walls, sloping floors and doors which stick in the doorframes. Look out for hairline cracks in the walls inside and out, and the condition of the windows, which can also signal problems. Ask for information about what is causing the issues and if it can be put right.
3 How old is the roof?
A modern roof typically lasts for up to 20 years, and replacing a roof can be costly, so check the EPC to find out how old it is. You should also look out for damaged guttering and missing roof tiles as part of your house viewing checklist.
4 Is there enough storage space?
Built-in cupboards and wardrobes are a huge asset, so look around the house weighing up where you will put all your belongings including sheets, towels and bulky items like vacuum cleaners and ironing boards. Check whether the kitchen cupboards are adequate for your needs too. If the home fails the storage test, is there space to add more?
5 What is the attic/cellar like?
An attic or cellar can be great for storage space or even an extra room, but is it adequately insulated and accessible? Check out the attic to see if it’s boarded up and insulated, and
whether it has the potential for a conversion to an extra living space. Remember that changes to listed buildings have to meet certain criteria.
6 What are the options for parking?
Is there a driveway, garage or allocated parking? Find out about parking restrictions or busy periods when parking spaces will be hard to come by. Even if the house has off-street parking, you’ll need guest parking, so these are important questions to ask the estate agent.
7 Will your furniture fit?
Room sizes and layouts may work with the current owner’s belongings, but will your furniture fit? You may need to buy new furniture to fit it doesn’t, so look closely at room sizes. If you’re viewing a new build, be aware that some developers may stage the new build properties with smaller furniture.
8 What is the aspect?
Which way the house, garden and key rooms face make a big difference to how light and warm the property is, and how efficient solar panels will be. South-facing gardens are usually sought after but conservatories with this aspect can be unbearably hot. Use the compass on your phone to check. It’s worth visiting at different times of day too, to view the place as the sun moves round. You should also consider if you’ll be overlooked – does a neighbouring house face yours?
9 Is the plumbing up to scratch?
Do a few simple checks in the bathroom and kitchen. Turn on taps to gauge the water pressure, flush the loo to make sure it’s working – and not subject to a constant drip – and run the hot water to find out how warm it gets and how quickly. Have a sniff around the kitchen for drain problems and listen out for gurgling sinks that could signal a problem.
10 How old is the boiler?
Boilers are expensive to replace, so find out how old it is, if it’s in good condition and ask about the most recent boiler service. Find out if there’s pipe insulation, and signs of potential problems such as noise or poor water pressure.
11 What about the windows?
Assess the condition of the windows and doors, including the double glazing. Open and close them to check they don’t stick and make sure there are keys present. Look out for cracked window frames and condensation inside double glazing. If the windows were recently installed, ask the seller or estate agent about FENSA certificates.
12 How much are the bills?
You might want an idea of how much you’ll be spending on your utility bills, especially if you’re moving from a flat to a house. The property’s Energy Performance Certificate rating must be shared with you by the seller and their estate agent. The EPC gives an idea of how energy efficient the home is, but it’s worth asking about bills too. Find out if it’s on a water meter or charged quarterly, and if you’re buying a flat, ask the estate agent how much the service charge
is. In south west London, whether you live in Wandsworth or Lambeth could make a big difference to your council tax bills, so ask about the local authority and council tax band.
13 Has it got the power?
All the gadgets, mobile phones and chargers that come with modern life mean an adequate number of plug sockets is a must, so check their locations in every room. Look at the fuse box to see whether the wiring is up-to-date, though this should come out in your survey. You should also check the mobile phone signal and broadband speed before buying a house – often taken for granted, but these house viewing tips can save a lot of frustration later.
14 Peace and quiet or noisy neighbours?
If you’re sensitive to noise, listen out for the neighbours’ music, TVs, dogs barking etc. Again, visit at a different time of day, on a weekday and at the weekend, to check – and always ask. Your sellers should disclose any disputes with neighbours which have been recorded.
15 What’s the neighbourhood like?
Research the local area, from nearby amenities, shops, schools and parks to traffic levels at rush hour and the crime rate. Visit at different times of day to see how safe the neighbourhood feels and if you like the atmosphere. How good are the local public transport links, and do they fit your commute or school run?
16 Why are the sellers leaving?
Though they might not give you an honest answer it’s worth asking. If they are moving for more space, for example, it might highlight an issue with the property. Their motives might also indicate whether they are looking for a quick sale, and could be willing to negotiate.
If you’re looking to buy in south west London, we’d love to talk to you about the different areas we cover and show you our selection of properties – and answer anything you need to know about your potential new home. Please give us a call today.