Viewing a home can be exciting! But, there are things you need to look at to make sure the home is suitable for you. You want to be able to get a feel for the home and make sure there are no problems with it, which will cost you money later on down the line. So, we have created this checklist to help you get the most out of your home viewing.
Interior of the home
These are some questions you should consider about the interior of the home:
- Is the home big enough for you? Will you be able to fit in everything you want to?
- Are the windows and doors secure?
- Does the home have an attic and is it insulated well?
- Is there smoke alarms?
- Does the home have enough storage for you?
- Is there enough plug sockets?
- Do all light switches work?
- Are the carpets, curtains and walls in good condition?
- Does the boiler work?
- Are there any exposed wires?
Exterior of the home
Finding out about the the exterior of the home is just as important as the interior, you should find out:
- Is the brickwork ok?
- Does the home have it’s own garden? Or is there a shared one?
- Are there any loose tiles?
- When does the sun best shine on the garden?
- Does the chimney work?
- Is there any large trees next to the home?
- Is there a shed in the garden and will it be left?
- Is the garden easy to maintain?
- Are the fences in good condition?
- Is the garden overlooked by neighbours?
- Does it have parking?
Other general questions to ask
- Is there any local transport near the home?
- Is there any shops near?
- What broadband does the home have?
- Does the phone signal work well?
- What are the neighbours like?
- Has there been any work done to the home recently?
- Is the EPC rating of the home good?
- How much will it cost in council tax?
- Is there any schools nearby?
- How long has the home been on the market for?
We are now going to go into more detail about what you need to look at in each room of the home. Don’t worry if you you don’t get chance to look at all things on the checklist, as anything you missed can be done at a second viewing of the home.
Bathroom
It is important to check the bathroom as there can often be problems in the bathroom which could end up costing you a lot of money.
- Is there hot water in the bathroom?
- Do the taps work?
- Does it have a shower or a bath?
- Is the water pressure good?
- What is the ventilation like? Is there a window or extractor fan?
- Is there any loose tiles or panels?
- Can you flush the toilet?
- Is the sealant still working?
kitchen
Kitchens are usually one of the most updated rooms in a home but it is still important to check everything works and you can fit in what you need to. You should ask:
- Do all the cupboard doors work?
- Does the gas/electric work in the kitchen?
- Will there be any any fixtures and fittings left in the kitchen?
- Do the taps work?
- What size freezer or fridge could you fit in the kitchen?
- Could the kitchen fit a table and chairs?
- Does the oven work?
Bedrooms
It is important to look at each of the bedrooms in the home to see what condition they are in but also to find out if the bedroom is big enough to fit your bed, wardrobe and anything else in you want.
- Is there enough space/storage for your belongings?
- Where would the bed go and what size could you have?
- Is there any mould?
- Can you fit a wardrobe in there or is one built in?
- Is the wallpaper and carpet in good condition?
Living room
Your living room is going to get used a lot by both yourself and guests so you need to make sure it is suitable for you.
- Does the room get a lot of natural light?
- If there is a fireplace does it work?
- Do the light switches work?
- Can you see any cracks or are the walls in good condition?
- Are the carpets clean?
- Is there enough room to put your sofa and anything else you want?
Now you have read our viewing checklist, you should be feeling more prepared for viewing a home. It is important to remember that even if you don’t get chance to look at everything on the list, it is not the end of the world as you can view the home again.
