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Top tips for a successful house viewing

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Follow our top tips to get your house viewings off to a flying start.

house viewings

1.Can you smell damp, mildew or mould?

If you can smell any of the above, then this should set off alarm bells. Damp smells mean the roofing or walls are not adequately sealed against the elements. Other signs to watch out for are flaking plaster and watermarked ceilings and skirting boards. Be wary of rooms that have been painted to mask the look and smell of damp walls. Thankfully, mould and mildew typically shows up through lighter shades of paint.

 

2.Do you need to complete a building survey?

If you have any doubts about the home you are interested in, it is worth paying for a professional building surveyor. Old houses with bay windows, end of terrace walls or home extensions can suffer from sag which will cause large cracks to form around these problem areas.

If the house is new, large cracks can form as the building ‘settles’. This means changes in temperature cause the new home to expand and contract, and this is completely normal and safe.

 

3.Does the house face north, east, south or west?

You’ll never be bothered by this issue during the winter, so be wary of this if you view a property at this time of year. However, in summer a north or south facing house is considerably brighter and warmer than an east or west facing equivalent. The latter can also be dark, which is even more frustrating when the sun is out. Nowadays smartphones are a discreet way to check this issue using a compass app.

 

4.What size are the rooms?

Do not be fooled by small furniture that makes a room look bigger. Visualise your current suite and how it will fit in the living room. Same goes for the dining furniture. Take a measuring tape if you have to!

 

5.Have you seen past the selling trickery?

Large mirrors and bright lighting, roasted coffee smells and freshly baked bread – these are the many tricks used to entice buyers to a home. Make sure to see past this and imagine the property once you move into it.

 

6.Are the windows, doors and double glazing in good order?

The windows of a property are a good indicator of the rest of the house’s condition. If the windows are good, chances are the rest of the house has been taken care of. Note any condensation between double glazing panes, and wooden window frames should be solid – not squishy and rotten!

double glazing

7.Have you checked the roof?

It is costly to repair or replace a roof, so make sure to check it thoroughly or have a building surveyor check it over. Flat roofs are also common faulty areas on older properties. Use the same rules as in tip number 1 to check for dampness.

 

8.Are the electrics in working order and are there enough plugs?

Old and faulty wiring is a hazard, and rewiring is another large bill to avoid.

 

9.Is the plumbing working?

Ask to run the heating and see how the radiators heat up. For old properties, the building surveyor will be able to tell you if any pipes are made of lead and need replacing. How old is the boiler and heating system?

 

10.What state is the attic in?

All too often new buyers fail to check over the attic for obvious problems. If it is an empty attic space with no clear signs of leakage or other problems, everything should be OK.

However, if the space is filled with junk and seems unsafe, then you need to ensure that clearing the attic is written into the conditions of sale. Horror stories abound of young couples moving into a home, only to have to deal with decades of clutter left behind in the attic by the previous occupant. Once you move in, it is your problem – so nip it in the bud by having a frank conversation with the estate agent!

On a positive note: does the attic have good insulation? Is it easy to access? Does the attic have the potential to be converted into a new room? An unused attic is usually an exciting prospect for additional living space and an opportunity to add value to the property.

 

11.Is the area right for you?

  • Is the property beneath a flight path?
  • Is the property situated near busy roads or a railway?
  • Are there public transport links nearby?
  • Are there local shops within walking distance selling basic items?
  • Is the property near a club, bar, pub or takeaway that gets noisy late at night?

Overall, does the place feel like home? If so, arrange a second viewing, preferably at a different time of day to the first to see if you pick up any more information. If possible bring a friend or relative with more knowledge in house buying than yourself, and good luck!

Barnes of Lincoln provide expert home removals throughout the UK. Our movers are highly trained and will work to your specifications, making sure that all belongings are packed, handled and transported as safely and efficiently as possible. We provide only the highest quality service to all our customers no matter what the scale of the move. We even have a worldwide overseas removal service of equal quality. If you’re in need of a reliable removal firm, get in touch with us today.

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