Buying
Viewing a House
Viewing a potential property can be a rather overwhelming experience - there's so much to take in and so little time available. You may start falling in love with the property as you walk up the garden path, or you may have dismissed it without giving it a fair chance. But use your head and ask the right questions, and you will save a lot of money, time and stress.
On the outside
You should already have researched the general area, but think specifics. Is it on a busy road? Beside a noisy pub? Are there pylons or mobile phone masts nearby? Is there a public footpath or shared drive? Is it under a flight path? Is there resident-only parking?
These factors could all affect your quality of life, as well as the resale value. If you can, drive or walk by the property first before booking a viewing. You don't want to waste your time - or the estate agent's.
If you're serious, view the property at different times of the day and evening. Do you feel safe on the streets at night? Is the road a busy school run in the mornings? Try to anticipate problems and decide whether you can live with them. See Finding the Perfect Home for more house-hunting tips.
On the inside
Take your time and don't let yourself be rushed by the estate agent or the owner - you're the potential buyer here and should be allowed to check out the property carefully.
Make quick notes as you view - they will help keep the different properties clear in your mind, and you can remind yourself of your checklist of 'must haves'. It's no use loving the kitchen units if the second bedroom is merely a glorified cupboard.
Check the boring stuff: the boiler, the roof tiles, the guttering, the loft, and the cellar. Don't forget the fusebox - an ancient device could indicate the house needs rewiring. Turn on taps and flush the loos. A good survey will highlight specifics later, but any potential buyer can check whether a boiler is rusting to pieces. See Getting a Survey for more on what to expect here.
You should already have researched the general area, but think specifics. Is it on a busy road? Beside a noisy pub? Are there pylons or mobile phone masts nearby? Is there a public footpath or shared drive? Is it under a flight path? Is there resident-only parking?
These factors could all affect your quality of life, as well as the resale value. If you can, drive or walk by the property first before booking a viewing. You don't want to waste your time - or the estate agent's.
If you're serious, view the property at different times of the day and evening. Do you feel safe on the streets at night? Is the road a busy school run in the mornings? Try to anticipate problems and decide whether you can live with them. See Finding the Perfect Home for more house-hunting tips.
On the inside
Take your time and don't let yourself be rushed by the estate agent or the owner - you're the potential buyer here and should be allowed to check out the property carefully.
Make quick notes as you view - they will help keep the different properties clear in your mind, and you can remind yourself of your checklist of 'must haves'. It's no use loving the kitchen units if the second bedroom is merely a glorified cupboard.
Check the boring stuff: the boiler, the roof tiles, the guttering, the loft, and the cellar. Don't forget the fusebox - an ancient device could indicate the house needs rewiring. Turn on taps and flush the loos. A good survey will highlight specifics later, but any potential buyer can check whether a boiler is rusting to pieces. See Getting a Survey for more on what to expect here.
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