What to look for when viewing a house

Would you spend just 20 minutes viewing a property to buy - either virtually or in person - that is going to be your home for many years? Some home buyers do – and live to regret it. We've put together our top tips for what to look for when you are buying a home -- a checklist for what to look for when viewing a property.

Angela Kerr Director, Editor

Buying a house is likely to be your biggest financial decision so it’s vital you know what to look for when viewing a house. Knowing what to look for when viewing a house from the outset means your more likely to find a property that suits your needs best. Plus you’ll be on the alert for any potential pitfalls. Here’s our checklist of things to look out for when viewing a property.

1. What to look for when viewing a house: Is there damp?

What to look for when buying a house? Keep an eye out for signs of damp. The main giveaway signs of damp are a mouldy smell, flaky plaster, and watermarked walls or ceilings. It sounds obvious, but when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house, make sure you look closely near the ceiling and around the skirting boards. Another clue might be if the room has just been repainted – possibly covering any damp.

2. Is the building structurally sound?

Big cracks are what to look for when buying a house – but you should expect some hairline cracks. Look especially around where extensions join, end-of-terrace walls, and bay windows, all of which can start to fall or bow away from the rest of the house. It’s vital to add this to your list of what to look for when viewing a house because you can ask the homeowner or estate agent about it and then ask a surveyor to investigate later.

But when it comes to what to look for when buying a house you can only look for what you know; having a house survey will help you spot risks and know what needs attention. So getting a survey may prove money well spent if they spot issues that could be expensive to fix. See our guide for more advice on how much a survey costs.

It’s important to get the best surveyor at the best price.

Instantly find and compare quotes from local surveyors using our handy find a surveyor tool

3. How much storage space is there?

When it comes to what to look for when buying a house you need to think about the practicalities of living there. Storage space is a valuable but often overlooked asset when you are looking at potential homes to buy. So add this to your list of what to look for when viewing a house.

Where will you keep your vacuum cleaner, towels, spare linen, and boxes of junk? Is there room for cupboards or shelves to be built in?  Especially in newly built houses, storage space can be scarce.

4. Which way does the house face?

In winter, during a cloudy day or at night, it is difficult to tell the difference between a north and south facing house or garden – but in summer it can make the difference between a home that is full of light and warmth, and one that is frustratingly dark. And this is important to check when it comes to what to look for when buying a house.

Don’t be shy about taking a compass with you to the property viewing – you might have one on your phone. With bi-fold doors all the rage, be aware that in moments of sunshine the solar gain can make the room unbearably warm, so add this to your things to look for when buying a house checklist and try to visit and spend some time in that room when the sun’s out.

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5. Are the rooms big enough for your needs?

We’ve heard of new build home developers putting smaller furniture in rooms to make them seem bigger. Be warned! So when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house, assuming you won’t be buying all new furniture as soon as you move in, ask yourself will your existing furniture fit?

Buying a new build home? Get a snagging surveyor to check eveything is up to scratch

6. Have you been fooled by staging?

Cleverly placed mirrors, strategic lighting, delicious smells, cosy fires, and fresh licks of paint are all tricks sellers use to make their home more appealing. It’s nice to feel you can move straight in without having to do a thing, but try to remain objective. And if their furnishing make the space, take photos and ask what they are leaving behind. Perfect light fittings, for example, can take an age to find and replace!

Add this to your list of what to look for when viewing a house.

7. Do the window frames have cracking paint? Is the double-glazing intact?

One of the things to check when you are buying a house is the state of the external window frames. This is a great indicator of the state of the house – if people have invested in and looked after those, they are likely to have taken great care of the rest. So this is important when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house.

If you can easily push your finger into wooden window frame, they are usually rotten. If there is condensation between double-glazed window-panes it means that they are faulty. New windows need to be installed by a registered approved inspector so you should get a FENSA or similar certificate, which often come with guarantees. Add this to your checklist of what to look for when buying a house.

8. How old is the roof?

Replacing a roof is an expensive business, and newer roofs have a life expectancy of only 15-20 years, depending on the materials. So it’s vital you consider this when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house.

Also, if the property has a flat or nearly flat roof, check out the material with which it sealed. Nowadays a membrane is used and is better than asphalt and gravel, which can leave seams and edges unsealed.

9. Are there enough power points and what condition are they in?

Dodgy wiring can be dangerous, and rewiring your new home can be an expensive business. Also check out the fuse board – often an indication of the state of the wiring but a survey will confirm if it needs replacing. Having enough plug points is apparently a big selling point in our increasingly gadget driven world so worth adding to your list of what to look for when viewing a house.

10. Things to check when viewing a house: Is the plumbing up to scratch?

Run the taps to check the water pressure. Ask if the pipes are insulated, and ensure they are not lead which would have to be replaced. Do the radiators actually work? How old is the boiler? If the hot water tank is situated in the roof it is probably an old one, and may have to be replaced soon are all things to look for when buying a house.

And don’t just take the estate agent’s word for it that is all OK. When you buy a property it’s advisable to arrange to get a house survey done.

Find local chartered surveyors to discuss your options and get quotes now

11. Is the property adequately sound-proofed?

If the sellers have the radio or television on ask for it to be turned down to ensure that you can’t hear your neighbours’ every word. This is important when it comes to what to look for when viewing a house. And it’s a good idea to have viewings at different times of day.

12. What to check when buying a house: What’s the attic like?

People often ignore the attic, but it is an important part of the house and it should be on your list of what to look for when viewing a house. How easy is it to access? Is there much storage space? Could it be converted into extra rooms? Is there insulation? Are all things to look for when buying a house. The latter can make a huge difference to your bills and general comfort in winter. To find out more about different types of insulation read our guide on how to make your home more energy efficient.

13. Things to look for when buying a house: What’s the area like?

When it comes to what to look for when buying a house it’s not just the property you’ll need to consider. You also want to consider the area too. For example:

• Are you near a pub or bar or kebab shop that becomes rowdy in the evening?
• Can you walk to shops to get a pint of milk, or do you have to drive?
• Is it easy to get to public transport?
• Are there noisy roads or train tracks nearby?
• Are you underneath a flight path?
• Is there a local dump in smelling distance?
• Are you near a school that makes it impossible to get out of your drive at school run time?
• Are you in a conservation area?

And most importantly, does it feel like you could make it your home?  Google street view is a great way to explore the area in the comfort of your own home.

If you do like a property, arrange another viewing for a different time of day, and scout out the local area a bit more. If you can, take somebody with you who might be able to notice things you don’t.

Virtual viewing

There are various options when it comes to virtual viewings; they can be pre-recorded or a live tour with the owner or agent. If it is a live session then go slow, ask lots of questions and make sure you ask to see the inside of cupboards, the fuse board and the boiler. You will want to take a close look at the window frames and look at the view from the window. 

It will be tricky to get a sense of the location and the neighbourhood, that’s where Google Street View can help. Accessed via Google Maps you can get a sense of the neighbourhood and also how it has changed over time.

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