Property viewing checklist

Viewing a property can be stressful and overwhelming. At the same time, it can be inspiring, exciting and potentially life-changing... Amidst this whirlwind of emotions, it’s difficult to know whether we’ve checked everything properly and asked all the right questions.

To make the process simpler, I’ve put together a new property viewing checklist based on my 20+ years working in the residential property sector. It’s designed to help you ask all the important questions and ensure you don’t miss any crucial details.

The checklist is suitable for all types of property buyers, but it may be particularly useful forfirst-timers. It includes helpful pointers on the following parts of a property:

• Building interior

• Bathroom and plumbing

• Kitchen

• Windows, doors and security

• Outside and brickwork

• Roof

• General and local area

• Additional points for flats or leasehold properties

I always advise people to take their time when viewing a property: check everything carefully, take notes to jog your memory later and don’t be rushed around by estate agents or vendors. Asking the right questions now could save you a lot of hassle in future!

Don’t worry if you can’t cover everything in a first viewing. If you do like a property, arrange another viewing for a different time of day to see how the light, traffic and noise levels change and check out the local area a bit more. If you can, take somebody with you who might be able to notice things you don’t. Remember, the more times you view a property, the more likely you are to spot potential benefits and problems. You can also use Google street view to explore the area from the comfort of your own home later on.

Try to use all your senses when viewing a property: your nose in particular is an incredibly useful tool in picking up things like damp, mould or strong air fresheners which may be covering something else up! Trust your gut instinct about a property: if a little niggle tells you something isn’t quite right, listen to it – this could save you valuable time, money and energy down the line. Most importantly, focus on the way a property makes you feel. Could you imagine yourself happily living there? If not, why not?

Remember, once you’ve made your offer, it’s down to professional surveyors like me to go through it with a fine-tooth comb and alert you to any major issues and problems. If you’re based in London or the south east, contact me today at roo@rmsurveyors.co.uk or by phone on 07957606886 to have an informal, confidential and no-obligation consultation about your survey or valuation requirements. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Download my property viewing checklist here and please feel free to share it on LinkedIn.