Viewing properties
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
Most buyers have a clear idea of the type of property they are looking for, but it may be difficult to find your ideal home. It is usually easier to decide if somewhere is suitable if you have worked out in advance exactly what you are looking for in a property. You can then compare the property and the surrounding area with a detailed checklist.
Estate agents' descriptions
Estate agents' descriptions of properties have to be fairly accurate (it's a legal requirement), but should be treated with caution. They don't have to point out any potential problems, and are designed to make the property attractive to buyers.
The estate agent doesn't have to point out any potential problems in the property or the local area. However, if you ask direct questions the agent has to answer them truthfully. It is also illegal for an agent to say that a property has certain features (such as double glazing) if it isn't true. If you are given misleading information by an estate agent you can complain to the trading standards department of your local council.
Property checklists
Comparing properties is easier if you put together a checklist of your priorities. Deciding what is essential will help you to avoid wasting time viewing unsuitable properties. The checklist should include details of what you want from the property itself, and the local area.
Try to get as much information as possible about each property to get an idea whether it is worth viewing. You may want to check the address on a local map. You can ask if any offers have already been made on the property, but the estate agent doesn't have to tell you.
The property
The kind of property that is right for you will depend on your personal circumstances. For example, if you have young children or mobility problems, you may want a property that is on the ground floor. You also need to think about:
- how many bedrooms (and how much other space) you need
- how much time and money you can afford to spend on repairs and decorating
- how much your heating bills are likely to be
- whether you can afford the ongoing costs, such as ground rent and service charges if the property is leasehold
- how much council tax you would have to pay.
The local area
Checking out the local area is also very important. The location will affect the value of the property and may mean that a property you like isn't suitable for you. For example:
- does the area feel safe?
- is it close to transport, shops, doctors, leisure facilities, schools?
- how much would it cost to get to work and how long would it take?
- is it close to family and friends?
- is the local area lively or quiet - are the neighbours noisy?
- are there problems with the air quality/pollution in the area?
- is there space for parking?
The seller (or estate agent) may give you some information about this, but you may want to do your own research as well. It's worth exploring the area to see what it's like, you can also check out useful websites such as Upmystreet to get an idea.
Looking around a place
When you are viewing a property, it is easy to fall for a property if it is nicely decorated or is the style of property you had hoped for. However, it's still important to inspect the property - both inside and out. Try to work out how much you are likely to have to spend on repairs and improvements, as this may affect what you can afford to offer.
See how each property measures up against your checklist. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to take notes on anything important, such as:
- leaks in the plumbing or guttering
- stains or cracks on the walls or ceilings
- mould or condensation
- uneven floors.
These problems may indicate that there are more serious problems in the property. If you can, it's also a good idea to walk around outside and/or look at the property from the garden. Try to find out if there have been any major alterations made which could affect the structure of the property.
You may want to view a property a few times before making an offer. Try to visit at different times - in the evening, during the day and at the weekend. Ask what the neighbours are like and, if possible, try to meet them. This will give you a better idea of what the property (and the area) are really like.
