Viewing properties is a vital part of moving home, not only if you’re buying, but renting too. No doubt you will have looked at the photos online, printed schedules and sent the agent lots of questions but when it comes to viewing the property, there are important factors to consider before you make your final decision.
When you’re ready to schedule a viewing
- Make an appointment with the estate or rental agent or private seller to view the property. They will give you availability for an appointment, where they will either show you around the property or the owner will carry out the viewing. Viewing restrictions have changed in light of social distancing so please check with the agent when booking the appointment.
- Take a walk or drive around the area. Show up early for your viewing and take this time to look around the area. It’s important to make observations about the availability of parking, if there are any shops around, schools nearby, bus and train links and how well-kept the property and surrounding areas are. This is also a good idea if you are moving to a new area so you can see if it is the kind of place you want to live.
- Think of questions that you want to ask of the seller. Write a list of questions to ask whilst you’re there, it’s a good opportunity to ask about typical utility bills and factoring fees. This is particularly good advice if you are a first-time buyer and need help budgeting. Don’t forget to ask about the neighbours too.
In line with government guidance, anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms should be staying at home, so if you or anyone in your household is experiencing symptoms, please let the agent know and you can possibly arrange for another time. Or ask them about arranging a virtual viewing.
During the viewing
- Show up on time. It’s important that you keep to your appointment time as you don’t want to eat into someone else’s viewing time. If you’re running later or need to cancel, let the agent or seller know as soon as you can.
- Taking someone with you. Please make sure that anyone you take with you to the viewing is within your social bubble and adhere to government guidelines on social distancing whilst you’re there. The agent or seller may wait outside whilst you carry out your viewing but best to check if they have any additional requirements to be followed when you call and make the viewing appointment.
- Ask those questions that you have prepared in advance. Others might occur to you during the appointment so ask them too. It’s in the seller’s interest to be helpful and offer this information.
- Be respectful of the seller. Be aware that they might be shy or uncomfortable having viewers in their home or on the other hand, be overly keen. In some cases, it will be the estate agent conducting the viewing and they will be much less emotional about the property. Remember and keep a 2-metre social distance from anyone else in the property, wash your hands before and after, avoid touching surfaces if you can and if possible, wear a face mask.
- Don’t be put off by the décor. Try and see past the furniture, paint and wallpaper that is not to your taste. Look at the shape of the rooms, the storage and the potential for you to make the space your own.
After the viewing
- Arrange a second look. If you liked the property and are considering making an offer, it is a good idea to return for a second viewing. Try to go at a different time of day to see any differences in parking, behaviour of neighbours and light in the property. Listen out for any traffic noises whilst you’re in the property too, especially if it’s near a busy road or shops.
- Take learnings from the viewing. If a property wasn’t for you, it’s a good idea to note on your checklist what you liked about it and what put you off. This will help in your search and arranging further viewings to make sure you get what you are really looking for.