Why Is It Important To Ask Questions When Viewing a House?
Especially if you're a first-time buyer, remembering questions to ask when viewing a house is your key for not making a mistake when you go to finally purchase your own home. Buying a house isn't as simple as buying clothes and then taking it back to the shop.
The main reason to have questions to ask when viewing a house is really in your best interests. Whatever you've put down for a mortgage deposit, it's bound to be a lot of your hard-earned money and you deserve to make that worth your while.
Have a House Viewing Checklist
Having a house viewing checklist put together is a really great way of making sure to ask all the questions when viewing a house. It might come across a bit strange at first, but having a house viewing list you can follow will ensure you've covered all the bases.
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What Should I Look for in a First Viewing?
Know What You Need
You should assess what you need in terms of a property before going out to buy. Consider:
- Your Budget — Know how much you can borrow for your mortgage and whether your salary can cover your living expenses. You will also need to consider stamp duty and solicitor fees. If you're moving in with a tenants in common arrangement, remember to factor this into your costs.
- Local Area — Is it well communicated? Are there schools, shops, and doctors nearby?
- Size and Bedrooms — If you have a family or are planning on having one, you'll need to make allowances for any future plans.
- Bathroom and Kitchen — What sort of kitchen and bathroom would you want? These are important to get right since you don't want to have to pay for expensive remodelling.
- Garden — Do you want a garden with the property? Have you budgeted for the extra costs of the upkeep?
- Drive and Garage — If you have a car, you'll want to consider the space and size of the garage.
What Should I Do When Viewing a House?
- Take Your Time — Don't feel rushed into making a decision by a pushy estate agent or seller.
- Confirm the Land Included — Double check with the estate agent what land is included with the property.
- Probe for Problems — Look around and check for any obvious problems. Check for signs of damp or mould.
- Take a Look at Structure — Double check the exterior to make sure there are no cracks or loose tiles.
- Check the Neighbourhood — Double check the neighbourhood either before or after visiting the property.
What Should I Not Do When Viewing a House?
- Don't Get Emotional — Getting too excited will harm your prospects in the long-run.
- Don't Badmouth the Property — Be practical in your criticism.
- Don't Argue with the Estate Agent — The estate agent is just doing their job.
- Don't Overpraise the Property — Keep the compliments on a business-like footing.
How Many Times Should I Visit a Property?
The standard advice is to visit a property at least twice before committing to buying it. On the second go around, consider:
- Looking closer at the condition
- Take friends or relatives along to see
- See how things will fit with a tape measure
- Clarify some doubts you've been having
10 Questions To Ask When Viewing a House
- How Long Has the Property Been on the Market? — If the property's been sitting there for longer than 3 months, you should definitely enquire as to why.
- Why Is the Property for Sale? — Finding out why a seller is selling can give you a good idea if they're in a rush.
- How Many Times Has the Property Been Sold? — If the property has had a lot of owners in a short amount of time, it might be one to avoid.
- What's Included in the Property's Price? — It's important to know what fixtures and appliances are included.
- How Old Is the Boiler? — The age of a boiler is very important since they are very expensive to replace and most insurers won't cover boilers that are older than 10 years.
- Has the Property Had Work Done? — Make sure the owners had planning permission beforehand.
- How Much Interest Is There in the Property? — You can gauge how popular a property is by asking if it's had a lot of viewings.
- Is There a Chain? — A chain is where people are waiting for other people to move out before moving in.
- How Much Are Bills on Average? — Estate agents and owners can usually give you a good idea how much utilities bills will cost.
- What Internet Access Is There? — Depending on the area, the internet access will often vary. You should discuss what's already there and what your broadband options are.
Ready to make an offer? Read our Making an Offer guide!
What Questions To Ask When Viewing Each Room
General
- Are the burglar and fire alarms working?
- Is there a good mobile signal?
- Is there a loft or cellar?
- Is the property a listed building?
For Each Room
- Are the lights working?
- Are there any signs of mould?
- How are the plug sockets placed?
- Is the storage sufficient?
Windows, Walls and Doors
- Are there any cracks in the windows?
- Are the walls in good condition?
- Do the doors open and close properly?
- Are there any cracks in the ceiling?
- Is there good insulation?
- Are the windows double glazed?
- Do the locks work?
Kitchen
- Does the oven work?
- Is the oven electric or gas?
- How big is the fridge/freezer?
- Do the taps work?
- How much countertop space is there?
- Does the washing machine work?
Bathroom
- How is the water pressure?
- Does the toilet flush correctly?
- Is there a bath/shower?
- Do the taps work?
Roof, Garden and Exterior
- Are there any missing tiles?
- How much work is needed for the garden?
- Are there any cracks in the walls?
- Are the chimneys in good condition?
Need Help Setting Up Your New Home?
Moving house? Our experts at Selectra can set up your energy, broadband, and utilities in one free call — saving you time and money.
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This is a free call from Ireland. Selectra agents can assist you with comparing and switching energy providers on weekdays between 9 am and 5.30 pm.
What If I'm Viewing a Flat?
If you're viewing a flat instead of a house, there are some additional questions you should include:
- How Long Is the Lease? — Most flats are usually sold as leaseholds for a limited amount of time. Knowing how much there is on the lease before you buy is important.
- Who Is Responsible for the Communal Areas? — The standard is that the building owner is responsible for keeping the corridors and stairs clean and in good condition.
- Are There Community Charges? — You will usually have to pay annual service charges and ground rent in a leasehold property.
- Does the Property Have a Parking Space? — Some flats will have a parking space associated with them.
- Does the Lift Work? — Ask whether the lift has regular maintenance and if it has needed repairs recently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viewing a House in Ireland
The standard advice is to visit a property at least twice before committing to buying it. On the second visit, look more closely at the condition, bring friends or relatives, and measure spaces with a tape measure.
Key questions include how long the property has been on the market, why it is for sale, what is included in the price, how old the boiler is, whether any work has been done, and what the average utility bills are. For more detail, see our making an offer guide.
Avoid getting emotional, badmouthing the property, arguing with the estate agent, or overpraising the property. Keep your composure professional and business-like to protect your negotiating position.
When viewing a flat, ask about the lease length, who is responsible for communal areas, whether there are community charges, if parking is included, and whether the lift works and is regularly maintained.
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