Your House Viewing Checklist

It’s important to ask questions about the property you are interested in before taking that step to make an offer. Estate agents have an obligation to tell the truth, and doing a little probing can make all the difference between buying your dream house or something that requires a lot of work.

Below are some questions you may find helpful to ask during the viewing:

1. Why are the owners selling?
   One of the top questions to ask is why the owner is selling up. You might find that the owner is moving abroad for example; this could mean they accept a lower asking price if it means a quick sale
   
   
2. How long have the owners lived there?
   If the owners have not been living at the property very long, it may be a red flag. Perhaps they aren't keen on the area, or they don't get on with their neighbours. Knowing how long they have lived there can give you an indication as to why they're selling
    
3. Age of property
   The upkeep on older houses can be more costly, so finding out how old the property is can help you to make a decision
   
   
4. How long has the property been on the market?
   If the property has been on the market for a fair amount of time, it's worth asking the estate agent why the house isn't selling. If the property has been listed for over three months, it might be that there are issues that you aren't aware of. You are allowed to ask the estate agent whether an offer has been made, and the reasons as to why they decided to pull out. Or it might simply be that the property price is too high
   
   
5. What is included in the sale? 
   Find out what is included in the sale, such as; is the garden shed, fixtures, and fittings. It can also be helpful to know where the boundary of the property lies
   
   
6. How energy-efficient is the house?
   Viewing the Energy Performance Certificate will give you an idea of the property’s energy efficiency, and a rough indication of energy costs
   
   
7. What is the minimum price the seller will accept?
   Asking this question can prevent lots of back and forth with the estate agent trying to guess how low they are willing to go
   
   
8. How much is the council tax and utility bills?
   The council tax band will be shown on the property listing; from this you can look online at how much council tax you can expect to pay. You can request to see utility bills to ensure it is within budget, alternatively, you can get a copy from your conveyancing solicitor further down the line
   
   
9. Is there a chain?
   It’s worth finding out when the owners are planning to move out. If they haven’t found somewhere else, or are in a chain, the process could take a while and you’ll need to decide whether you’re happy to wait
   
   
10. What is the area like?
    If you have kids, you’ll want to know what the local schools are like, you’ll want to check the crime rate and how good the transport links are. You may also find it helpful to know what amenities and services are nearby such as a local supermarket, doctors’ surgery, and petrol station
    
    
11. How is the internet access and signal?
    It can be helpful, especially if you work from home, to ask about the types of broadband available, and what the signal is like
    
    
12. Can I test the taps?
    Some people will be put off by low water pressure and will want to check the taps to see the pressure, and how long it takes for hot water to come through.

Other viewing tips:

• Have a good look at the property from the outside and check out the neighbourhood to get a good feel for the area
• Visit both day and night as this will help you get an idea of volume and noise in the area
• View the property with a friend or family member – it’s always good to have someone unbiased to check out the property too.

If you are keen on the property after the viewing, it’s a good idea to get a house survey done to inspect the condition of the property. A surveyor will look at the condition of the building and will flag any problems that need repairing.