12 questions to ask when viewing a house

Have you seen a property for sale that catches your eye? Whether it be your first time buying or not, a learned eye is key when looking into potential homes. A house viewing will allow the opportunity to delve into the details about the building you are going to be buying, and its location. We have prepared a guide for you so you can understand what to check before making an offer.

Here are some important points a short viewing checklist everyone should know prior to viewing a house.

Questions to ask when viewing a house:

How long has the property been on the market?

You need to check with your agent how long the property has been on the market. Generally, the longer a house has been on the market, the more negotiable the price will be. It’s possible that the house was initially overpriced and had a discount applied to it.

Other questions to ask are:

Have there been any bids rejected during its time on the market or has there been a previous sale agreed upon but fallen through? If so, why did the sale fall through?

This could be an indication that there is something wrong with the property.

Why is the property being sold?

It’s always worth asking the estate agent why the property is being sold as this could provide some useful information. For example, if the owner is moving to a smaller property, this could be because their children have moved out.

In this case, the property may need less work than one where the owner is downsizing due to financial reasons.

How long have the owners lived in the house?

It’s always a good idea to find out as much information about the seller before making an offer. For example, have they lived in their current home for how long and why did that time period overlap with where you live now?

Has the seller had any neighbour issues?

Is there a recent planning application that could be detrimental to their property, or are building works happening nearby it might affect how well this house remains secure.

You’ll want to find out all you can about these things before making an offer on your dream home.

Why is the property being sold?

One of the first things you should ask an estate agent when looking at a property is why its owner wants to sell. The truth may not come out immediately, but if they’re lucky then maybe their tone will give some hint as to what could be wrong.

If the reason is something like, “We need a bigger house now that we have a baby on the way,” this is understandable. However, if their answer is something more vague such as, “We just need a change,” this could be cause for concern.

What is included in the sale?

When you’re buying a house, it’s important to know what is included in the sale. For example, are all the appliances included in the sale? What about light fittings and curtain rails?

It’s worth making a list of everything you want to include in the sale so that you can check it off with the estate agent.

What is the condition of the property?

It’s important to ask the agent or the owner about the condition of the property. For example, has the property been well maintained? Are there any repairs that need to be carried out?

It’s also a good idea to ask the estate agent if there are any outstanding planning applications or building regulations that need to be approved.

How much is the council tax? And how much are utility bills in the local area?

Council tax and utility bills can vary greatly from one area to another. It’s important to find out how much these costs will be in the area where the property is located.

You can do this by contacting the local council or by searching for the information online.

What are the neighbours like?

You should inquire about the neighbours. It’s always helpful to know who you’ll be living next to and whether they’re sociable.

However, keep in mind that any neighbourhood conflicts (old or current) must be disclosed to you.

Are there any local initiatives that could have an impact on homeowners?

When you’re looking for a new home, it is important that the views from your property are not compromised.

If there’s an application planned or underway to develop land at either side of what will be regarded as one aspect in particular (such as fields), then find out sooner rather than later, as this could affect future house prices. The same goes for things like new roads or railways.

What is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?

The EPC rating is an important factor to consider when buying a house as it will give you an indication of how energy efficient the property is. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the property is.

You can find out the EPC rating by asking the estate agent or by looking at the EPC certificate online.

Is the property freehold or leasehold?

You should ask the seller or the agent if the property is freehold or leasehold. If the property is leasehold, you will need to pay an annual fee to the landlord. It’s important to factor this cost into your budget.

If the property is leasehold, you should ask the estate agent for the length of the lease. The length of the lease will determine how long you can live in the property.

Also If the property is leasehold, you should ask the estate agent if there is ground rent. This is an additional cost that you will need to factor into your budget.

It’s important to factor this into your budget as you will need to renew the lease when it expires.

What offers have they had so far?

If a property has been on the market for a while, it’s worth asking the estate agent what offers they have had so far. This will give you an idea of how realistic the asking price is.

It’s also worth asking if there are any other interested parties. If there are, this could mean that you will have to move quickly to secure the property.

Why is it important to ask these kind of searching questions?

As a homebuyer, one of the most important things you can do is ask questions during viewing a property. By doing so, you can get a better understanding of the property you’re interested in and make sure that it meets your needs and wants.

Additionally, these questions to ask seller can help to ensure that you’re getting the best possible deal on your dream home purchase.

Finally, don’t forget to get a feel for the surrounding areas!

It’s all about location! Check out the surrounding area and make sure it’s somewhere you could see yourself living.

Look for things like local amenities, public transport links, and schools in the area. All of these factors will play a role in your decision-making process.

You may have the most beautiful home in the world, but if it’s on the worst street, you won’t want to live there. It’s preferable to possess the worst property on a beautiful street because renovations can always add value.