Purchasing or renting a new home can be a thrilling experience, if occasionally a little overwhelming. But, especially if you’re buying a place, it’s obviously also one of your biggest-ever financial decisions and investments. So it’s important that, when you go to see a place for the first time, you don’t get carried away or over-excited by one particular aspect of it.
Instead, view the whole property with a cool head and take the time to go through the checklist below and ask everything you need to know. You should not feel rushed in any way, and the seller or agent should answer your questions willingly and fully.
Viewing checklist
1.) The exterior: Look at window frames, brickwork, drains, gutters and the roof. Identify potential issues, and ask yourself what the house looks like from outside. Take a good look at the house or flat’s outdoor areas and consider whether these will be suitable for children and pets if you’re moving with them.
2.) The local area: Ask about public transport links and nearest shops plus other amenities, including roads and the traffic. Clearly, if you have children, you’ll also want to ask which schools are likely to fall within your catchment area. It’s also worth assessing the condition of neighbouring properties.
3.) Size: This may sound obvious, and it’s mainly down to personal preference, but think during the viewing about how you’ll use each of the rooms. Bear in mind that a bigger property means higher energy and council tax bills, but you’ll have to balance this with having all the space you and your household require.
4.) Storage: This aspect can be more important than you may have realised. What storage space does the place offer? That includes the loft, the basement if there is one, kitchen cupboards and so on.
5.) Lighting: How much natural light do the windows let through during the day? is light blocked by trees or neighbouring homes?
6.) Extension potential: Give some thought as to whether you could extend or renovate the house after you’ve moved in, to provide additional living space.
7.) Checking out the garden: Is there a back or front garden – or both? What direction does the garden face, and how much sun does it get, and at what times of day? Are the outside areas shared or private? Is the garden overlooked? Are boundary walls or fences in good condition? Could any larger trees cause structural issues such as subsidence? How much upkeep would the garden need?
8.) General inside checklist: Look for signs of mould or condensation, check the condition of the flooring and whether doors open and close properly. Are there any significant cracks in the ceilings or walls? Do all the light switches work? Does each room have enough electrical sockets?
9.) Heating: Does the property have gas central heating? What state is the boiler in, and how old is it?
10.) Bathrooms and cloakrooms: Again look for signs of mould and damp. Test the water pressure – how quickly does hot water come through? Equally, check the condition of the grouting and sealant, see what kind of shower is fitted, and whether a shaver socket is available. Finally, assess whether the loos flush properly.
Viewing a flat? Extra things to ask
If you’re looking to buy a flat, ask whether it’s leasehold or you’d have a share of the freehold. If the former, how many years remain on the lease? How much is the monthly service charge and when will this next be reviewed? Ask the same about the yearly ground rent and whether you’ll need to pay into a sinking fund for future repairs.
Finally, it’s worth asking for an honest assessment of how much noise can typically be heard from neighbouring flats.
Buying a new home with Carter & May
At Carter & May, we’ve been the leading Salisbury estate agents for the last eight years. We have unparalleled knowledge of our ‘patch’, live locally and make good use of latest technology plus our 150 years’ combined experience to ensure we’re there for our buyers every step of the way, from initial viewing through to completion and beyond.
With a base in the very heart of Salisbury, we also cover Amesbury, Fordingbridge, the New Forest, Ringwood and Alderholt.
We pride ourselves on our honest advice, so are always happy to have frank discussions about particular properties. Plus we’ll always give prospective buyers plenty of time when looking around somewhere they may be purchasing, so that they never feel rushed. After all, you won’t make many more important decisions in your life.
View our current properties for sale and to rent or get in touch with us to discuss your next move.