Viewing Inside
How do I conduct a property viewing?
Your property surveyor and survey should show up any major structural issues. However it is important that you look carefully around the property to identify any potential problems.
What should you look for when viewing the Hallway?
- How many light fittings are there? If you wanted spotlights and you have an old fitting this could need rewiring
- Are there telephone and plug sockets?
- What is the floor like? Is it a real wooden floor, laminate or carpet? Light carpets can get worn and dirty in the hallway.
- Any original features, e.g. coving, tiles etc.
- Check if the staircase is particularly creaky
- Check under the stairs, if there is a cupboard, look for woodworm and damp, also check the fuse box, if it is old and has old wire fuses then this probably means the wiring is old and needs attention, which can be very costly.
What should you look for when viewing the Lounge?
- Where are the sockets? Is there a telephone socket?
- Where is the TV aerial?
- Is cable TV or satellite installed already?
- Is there space for shelving?
- Check how modern the lighting is and how many light fittings there are.
- How much seating can be put in the room? What do the owners have in place currently? Remember that quite often new home builders will put patio furniture into their lounges to make rooms appear more spacious!
What should you look for when viewing the Kitchen?
- Built in kitchen, is it new? , does it have expensive finishes such as a marble top?
- Check the age of the cooker, washing machine, dish washer, extractor fan. Are they included in sale? Are they still under guarantee?
- Test all appliances.
- Check the lighting.
- Look under sink for signs of damp.
- Look in all units, look in the back of cupboards for any signs of damp, loose fixtures and poor workmanship. Also look out for a sign of mouse droppings.
- Check all windows and their frames.
What should you look for when viewing the Bathroom?
- Is there a separate toilet room?
- How good is the tiling? Check the grouting is it green? This may be a sign of damp below or behind the tiles.
- What make of shower is it? What is the pressure like? Is it tall enough for you?
- Is there a bath present? Remember families with young children like a bath.
- Check water pressure, turn on upstairs taps and downstairs taps together, is there any noticeable drop in pressure?
- Check for damp.
- Flush the loo, does it refill quickly?
What should you look for when viewing the Bedrooms?
- Which way does the sun hit the room in the morning?
- Are there power sockets for beside tables?
- Is there a phone and TV socket / aerial?
- Can a double bed or king-size fit into the bedroom?
- Is there an in built wardrobe?
- Is there a space for a wardrobe, drawers, bedside tables, dressing table?
- How big are the curtains? Curtain rails on bay windows can be a real pain to fit if they are missing.
- Test the floorboards, does it squeak and creak?
Other key viewing tips
- If you are not happy about the room dimensions and you are wondering if you can knock through. Try banging on the wall, which you’d like to remove. If it sounds hollow then it’s probably not a supporting wall.
- What condition are the carpets and flooring in?
- Is there an Internet connection?
- If the property has a loft then take a look. Is it insulated? Is it boarded out? Have a look at the underside at the roof for signs of damage or damp.
- Is there a fireplace? Is it an original piece?
Now go on and read about how you view the rest of the property before you make an offer and get your surveyor on the job.
