Damp
You can identify damp/moist by the musty smell, mildew forming on the walls, peeling wallpaper, blistering paint, dark patches, discoloration and mold. It’s caused by moist air condensing on the walls and is an indicator of the structure and ventilation of the building. Damp can lead to health issues, woodworm, and fungal decay, and it’s a big problem to get rid of.
Position
Check which way your house is facing. South facing rear gardens are most desirable as these get the most sunshine in the summer. You also want maximum daylight to enter your house so look at how much the sun shines through into each room. North facing rear gardens get little sunshine as the sun is blocked by the house as the sun rises and sets.
Size and finish
Make sure each room is of substantial size. Ensure you can fit your furniture into the room. Sometimes sellers try to be sneaky and put smaller furniture in the room to make it look bigger. Did you know that selling agents have stylists that help a seller style their home better to maximize return on investment? Don’t fall for this! You can change the inside to fit your tase, but you cannot pick it up and move the home to a different location.
Neighborhood
An important one – location is everything when buying a house – you can change the house but not its location. Does it have good schools, excellent transport links, lots of parks and green space? How about restaurants, shops and of course a decent pub? Does the area feel like it has a good sense of community, or are crime rates high and the neighbors noisy? Are there any upcoming developments changing the area? Try to suss this out on your visit, or drive around the area to get a feel.
Potential
Does the house pack development potential? Can you boost the investment potential of the property by making changes, or upgrade the energy label? See whether the property allows for extensions, attic conversions or whether you can knock that wall through to create a kitchen-diner. If you want to make changes to the property, ask your agent what renovations can be included in your mortgage application.
Condition
Assess the general condition of the house. Look out for cracks in walls, how fresh the paint looks, how worn carpets or floorboards are, how tired skirting boards look, how creaky doors are. Understand how much love and attention the property needs, and figure out how much you’re willing to put into it. Take photo’s so you can discuss this with your agent.
Roof
Look out for any missing or displaced tiles or leaky gutters, which are particularly common in old or ageing roofs. These tiles and gutters will need to be replaced, and maybe even the whole roof, which can be an expensive job. Flat roofs are particularly a problem, as have been constructed with cheaper materials. If you notice any standing water or cracks in this roof, warning bells should start going off. You can always get a roof survey to make sure.
Seller
Ask the selling agent why they are selling – it could be due to noisy neighbors, they dislike the area, or there are upcoming developments that will impact on the property.
Ask the agent what the procedure is to sell the property, is there a deadline?
Ask the agent what is important for the seller, maybe a specific date to move?
Tell them that you have a buying agent and tell them who we are!
How many viewings and offers have been made? This will enable you to figure out any moves to make next.
Floors
In older homes you can hear the wooden floorboards as they crack when you walk on them. They can become damp, rot and cause the floor to collapse. As you can imagine, this is pretty serious, and the ground can actually disappear from beneath your feet. Look out for a springy floor and a damp and musty smell.
Most houses that were built after the 60s have a concrete ground floor, but may still have wooden floorboards on the second or third floor.
Drainage
Look for sufficient drainage in the area, and check whether the property is prone to flooding. Are drains accessible, of correct level and draining properly and quickly? Make sure drains do not block easily. Look out for overflowing water, buildup of leaves and debris, or residue around the affected area.
Noise
When on your house viewing, just listen. Can you hear the next-door neighbors talking or walking up and down the stairs, particularly look out for this if the property is a row house. How well sound-proofed is the building? Can you hear traffic or trains?
Energy label
How energy sufficient is the property? You want to know this as you can help cut your energy bills (whilst saving the planet at the same time of course). Ensure there is sufficient insulation in walls, roofs, floors and double glazed windows. The property may even have solar panels to help provide clean energy alternatives.
You
Lastly, and most importantly, you should look at yourself in the property. Do you get a good feeling about it? Do you imagine yourself living here? Can you see all your furniture in each room, cooking in the kitchen, watching tv in the living room and sleeping in the bedroom? Are you prepared to do any work that needs doing to make it your own? Do you feel at home in this neighborhood? If so, you may have found the right property for you.
Next time you go to a house viewing, look out for these key factors. This will ensure you have a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the house and all of its nooks and crannies, and whether it’s right for you. Happy house hunting!
