House hunting for your first dream home should be fun and exciting, not stressful and confusing. If you’re a first time buyer and starting to view houses, then it is important that you know all the things to check when buying a house, all the questions to ask at a house viewing and how to deal with estate agents when moving.
To ensure you don’t forget to check anything important, this first time buyer house viewing checklist covers all the must-ask house viewing questions, as well as some extra house viewing tips. This guide will explain everything you need to know to get the most out of your property viewings.
So, let’s not waste anymore time! Here’s everything you need to know about viewing a house for the very first time.
When viewing a house for the first time, it is super important to be as impartial as possible. Even if you fall in love with the property on the surface, there may be some less obvious flaws that need to be uncovered. You can use this first time buyer house viewing checklist to help you stay objective and view the house in a realistic light.
During a house viewing, it is important that you check all of the rooms, including storage areas. You should also remember to inspect the exterior of the property, including brickwork, guttering and roof tiles. Make sure you look very closely, as some damage can be easily disguised with paint.
This house viewing checklist has been divided room by room to make it easier for you to tick everything off while viewing a property:
In many ways, the kitchen is the space in a house that has the most room for problems to develop – and you really don’t want to settle for a deficient cooking area. Therefore, it is crucial that you take proper note of the kitchen fixtures, counters and design as a whole to make sure it suits you and your needs.
Here are some of the things you should look for when viewing the kitchen:
Given that you’ll probably be spending a significant amount of your time in the living room, it is important that you check it thoroughly. Remember that you can redecorate and change the room to fit your own tastes after moving in, but there are some more practical things you should inspect.
Here’s what to look for when viewing the living room:
Again, you are likely to redecorate the bedrooms to fit your personal tastes and style, but it is worth concentrating on the practical details, such as the size and quality of the rooms.
Here’s what to look for when viewing the bedrooms:
Bathrooms are a crucial part of any house, but you might find that they are often neglected in terms of renovation. A poorly maintained bathroom can lead to all kinds of problems so it is important to conduct in-depth checks when viewing a house.
Here’s what you should check when viewing the bathroom:
If the house you’re viewing has a garden, then there are a few things you should check to make sure you can make the most of this space.
Here’s what to look for when viewing the garden:
If you’re purchasing a house by yourself, it’s always a good idea to take someone with you for a second opinion or moral support. They might spot things you’d miss and help you remain objective throughout the house viewing process.
While it is important to make all the necessary checks when viewing a house for the first time, not all your questions can be answered by just looking. Therefore, it is important to make a list of all your house viewing questions too.
There are a number of important questions to ask when viewing a house to make sure you are fully informed when leaving the property. It is crucial that you ask the estate agent anything you are unsure about to help you decide whether you want to put in an offer for the house.
Here’s a list of what to ask when viewing a house:
Whether you ask your questions to the estate agent or to the seller, you can gain a lot of valuable information from those involved in the house sale.
Don’t worry, your list of questions to ask at a house viewing can never be too long. It is important that you are armed with as much knowledge about the property as possible, as well as the surrounding area before you put in an offer and buy the house.
If you’re thinking of buying a flat as your first home, then there are some additional questions to ask the estate agents. These include:
House viewings can sometimes be a little awkward; after all, you’ll be poking around someone else’s home. As a result, it can be difficult to know what to say, do and how to behave when viewing a house for the first time.
Follow this house viewing etiquette to ensure you get the most out of the experience, while developing a positive rapport with the sellers or estate agents.
As well as house viewing etiquette, there are some definite don’ts when viewing a house for the first time.
So, now you have a checklist of all the questions to ask when viewing a house, you are set to start your property search.
Follow this first time buyer house viewing checklist to ensure you remember to check everything thoroughly before considering putting in an offer for a house.
Once you have viewed and chosen your dream house, you will need to fill it with all the first home essentials and update your address with all your accounts and services.
Check out more first time buyers guides.
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