Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions that you will ever make, so it is vital that you take steps to ensure you are fully informed. There are many important parts of the property buying process but the viewing stage is vital, and this is why you pay close attention at this stage. Thankfully, there is plenty of advice on offer when it comes to viewing property, and the National Association of Estate Agents has a lot of guidance and advice on this stage of the process. At Spencer Harvey, we are proud members of the NAEA and we want to ensure you view a property with confidence.
At every stage of the property buying process, think about what you want or need from a home and use this as your starting point. If you need a certain number of rooms or you want so much space, this should be on offer at the property. Knowing what you definitely need and knowing what you can negotiate on will allow you to view the property in the most effective manner.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
You’ll also find that you get more from the process when you ask questions. Some of the most popular questions which will provide you with insight into the property include:
- How long has the property been on the market for?
- Will the fixtures and fittings be included?
- What are the neighbours like?
- What are the average costs to run the house?
While you should be on the lookout for obvious structural issues, be assured that if you want to press on with the property purchase, you should obtain a proper survey of the house. However, looking for cracks and structural issues at this stage can save you time and money. If there are obvious concerns about the property, it may be best to stop and move on to other options. You should also be on the lookout for damp or signs that damp areas may have been covered up. While many people redecorate before placing a home on the market, review skirting boards and floorboards for signs that redecoration work may have been undertaken due to dampness or over structural issues.
Do you feel at home in the property?
You also want to make sure that you can picture yourself living in the room, so take the time to visualise yourself and what you would do. If you cannot picture scenes or ways that would feel comfortable at home, it may be that the property isn’t for you. Another good tip to bear in mind when viewing a property is to view it at different times, perhaps at day and night or during the week and at the weekend.
It never hurts to know what to look for in the property market and at Spencer Harvey, we are always happy to provide you with guidance and advice for the viewing stage and all aspects of buying or selling property. If you want to arrange a meeting with Spencer Harvey, contact us on 0161 480 8888 or send us an email at info@spencerharvey.co.uk. For a free valuation please visit: https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk/valuation-enquiry.html