subject: Viewing A House [print this page] Viewing A House Viewing A House
If you have found a property that you are considering buying, then one of the most important stages in the decision making process will be a viewing of the house. This is your chance to get a feel for the property and the neighborhood, and to take a look for yourself inside the property. You should be thinking about what it would be like to live in the house, and whether you can picture yourself making a home there, but you should also be looking out for any potential problems. If you go ahead with the purchase you will get a thorough, professional inspection in order to check for any structural problems, but you should be able to tell for yourself whether there are any obvious problems and whether the house is generally in good repair. It will be much easier if you can rule out a property at the viewing stage rather than waiting until the inspection to discover that it is in poor condition.
Many sellers understand how to present their property well. They give it a special clean, clear out their clutter, and make sure that everything is in good condition before they arrange a viewing. This is all helpful for you, as you will be able to get a good look at the property without being distracted by the current owners taste and possessions. If the owner has not made these efforts, however, you should try not to be put off. Just because there is a little bit of mess, or you are appalled by the seller's taste in furniture, doesn't mean that it isn't your dream house. It can be very difficult to imagine yourself living in a property which is full of junk or which has ghastly wallpaper, but it is worth it to make the effort. Try redecorating the room in your head. Ignore the current furniture and contents, and try to picture your own belongings in the property. Are the rooms a good size? Is there plenty of light? These are the questions that you should be asking yourself, as these are the aspects of the property which you cannot change by redecorating and moving your own belongings into the house.
As well as trying to imagine yourself living in the property, you should keep an eye out for any repairs that need to be done, and for any signs of more serious structural problems. If there are some small repair jobs that have been left undone it may be a sign that the property has not been well cared for, which could mean that there are some more serious unseen problems. It will also mean that there are some jobs that you will need to do when you move in. If you are willing to take on a property that needs some repairs, then this will not be a problem. Do not take on more work that you can handle, and make sure that you use the repair work that the property needs when you are negotiating a price. You may be able to get the seller to accept a lower offer.
In terms of the more serious problems that you may be able to spot, you should look out for cracks, damp patches, signs of leaks in the roof, and rotten wood. These could all be clues that there is something seriously wrong with the property, and if they are extensive, you should proceed only with caution. Make sure you get a good inspection if you do decide to go further with the purchase, and try to estimate how much it will cost to solve the problems that the inspector finds. Factor these costs into your offer on the property.
