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ANY QUESTIONS?

Do you have any questions about buying or selling?

Our clever Property Panther probably knows the answers!

Let me guide you through the viewing process, and explain what things you should check out when you view a property.

Viewing properties can be a challenging but fun experience. Every property is different, and has its own unique strengths and weaknesses that you will need to factor in to your decision making.

One important thing to always bear in mind is that you should try to stop yourself becoming too emotionally ‘swayed’ by certain aspects of the property. Yes, that Jacuzzi really does have a 'Wow!' factor but you should still critically examine the rest of  the property to try and spot  any major defects or problems that could cost you a lot of money to fix down the line!

Ideally, try to ensure that at least two people view each property (if you are single, take a friend along). Two pairs of eyes are far better than one, and you'll often spot more defects and potential problems than if you viewed alone.

You will also find it helpful to take a notebook with you, and don't be afraid to take notes as you view each property. After you have looked at several in the course of a day, it's not uncommon for them to all start looking the same and you'll easily forget which property had certain features.

To make things easier still, you may wish to take a digital camera or video camcorder along with you and take some photos - but do be sure to ask the owners permission first. By taking your own photos, this may also help you spot things that you initially missed when you viewed

Finally, if any properties really stand out then you should always try to view them at different times of the day. The neighbourhood may be peaceful during the day, but extremely noisy at night (especially on Fridays and Saturdays)!

• Are neighbouring houses reasonably well kept, and in a good state of repair? If not, they could keep the value of your potential home down.
   
• Are there any roof tiles missing? If so, look out for signs of damp in the property.
   
• Are there signs of subsidence? Look for bent chimney stacks, uneven roof lines, or cracks on external walls.
   
• Are there any nearby large trees? (the roots can affect the foundations of the property). If there are, do they have tree preservation orders on them?
   
• What condition is the garden in? Will it need a lot of maintenance?
   
• Check to ensure that the damp course is above soil level. If not, you could have damp issues.
   
• Is the property on a busy road?
   
• Is it pet friendly? (if you have, or are likely to have pets)
   
• Are their good public transport facilities nearby?
   
• Are there shops within walking distance? (driving 5 miles to get a pint of milk can be a pain!)
   
• What parking facilities are in the area?
   
• Where does the sun rise / set? Will you have a nice area to sunbathe in?
   
• How old is the property?
   
• Has the property been extended?
   
• Could you extend the property further if you need more space?
   
• Why is the vendor moving?
   
• Who are the neighbours?

• Don’t be put off by the decoration - everyone has different tastes, and you will probably be redecorating anyway.
   
• Is the house tidy? A tidy house may mean that it has been well looked after?
   
• Is it double glazed?
   
• Is there much storage space?
   
• Can you hear the neighbours?
   
• Are there signs of subsidence? These can include sticking doors, or internal cracks that are wider than 1mm (the thickness of a 10p coin)
   
• Are there any signs of damp? Check plastered walls for moisture, and look for damp patches or mildew on walls.
   
• Have the present owners recently redecorated? New paint or wallpaper could be hiding a multitude of cracks or damp.
   
• Are the window frames in good condition? Check flaky paint on wooden window frames, as this may indicate damp. To confirm this, try to press your finger into the wood. If you can do this easily, the wood is rotten.
   
• Are the rooms a practical shape and big enough? Will your furniture fit in easily?
   
• Are the present owners looking to move quickly? Have they already found their next property?
   
• Are carpets and other property fixtures included in the price?
   
• Are any of the electrical appliances included in the price? This is especially important when looking at fitted kitchens, as it may be difficult to get another appliance that fits in the gap!
   
• Is there central heating? If so, how old is the boiler and when was it last serviced?
   
• Is the property on a water meter?