Viewing A House? Tips & Tricks To Get The Most From Your Viewing

In this blog you will find:

• • Different types of viewings explained

• • Key questions to ask 

• • Key things to check for during a viewing 

• • How to act when viewing properties 

• • The best way to gain information after a viewing

• • Tips on how to get the most out of your viewing 

Property viewings can vary as they could be:

An individual estate agent viewing – a little more time and a chance to privately ask the estate agent (or owner) a few questions.  

An open day with several different short slots and overlaps. These are usually when the property has gained more interest, for example; houses for sale with a view etc and is often used to create hype amongst viewers in the hope they will gain a bidding war. 

Virtual viewing property – has grown in popularity since Covid restrictions came into play. These were offered on Rightmove ‘online viewing’ a lot during lockdown.  It is of course also very handy with any logistical problems/buying out of the area. 

In terms of a house viewing checklist, it can be broken down into key initial questions that should either be asked during the initial phone call, during the visit or afterwards in a follow up depending on how you see fit as some may be self-explanatory i.e. if there is no furniture it’s not very likely to be occupied and so on.

Key Questions to Ask:

• • How long has the house been up for sale? (Longer the better in terms of price negotiation)

• • Has there been much interest so far? (Have any previous sales fallen through? Is there a lot of viewings booked?)

• • Why is the owner selling? (You may or may not receive an honest answer if there is actually a problem but it’s still worth an ask)

• • How long have the sellers lived there? (Short time possible red flag)

• • Is there a chain? (Chains are likely but the longer they are the more possible problems/delays)

• • What work has been done on the house? (If anything costly could be ruled out for example a recent new installation of a boiler etc) 

• • What’s included in the sale? (Nice light fittings or garden furniture/storage etc) 

• • Is the property listed? (This would likely be very clear in the advert but some areas are more likely to have restrictions so double-check to be clear)

• • Council tax band (these can vary wildly so check online so you don’t get a nasty shock)

If the property has been for sale for several months and/or a sale has fallen through, the seller may be in a rush to sell and willing to accept a lower offer – questions surrounding this are more suitable if say that is the case and the property is empty, rather than 10 minutes after it’s first listed on Rightmove. 

The things to ask at a house viewing of course vary depending on the state of the property and as mentioned above, what is apparent when you are actually there. The average viewings to sell a house will vary on many factors and naturally play a large role in what discount you could achieve or what amount over the asking price! 

House viewing tips when you are actually there on site:

Keep your cards close to your chest:

Refrain from showing too much enthusiasm if you aim to then enter negotiations and gain large reductions from the sale price. This is especially true if it is the owner conducting viewings but also the agents as at the end of the day, they work for the seller.

Save detailed questions for a follow-up email/call rather than on-site:

If you are seriously considering buying and have a lengthy list of questions then it is likely the agents will have to refer to the sellers. If it is put in writing via email then it is easier to keep track of and more likely to gain helpful answers as you are demonstrating serious interest. 

What to check for at the house:

These points can be flagged during a detailed survey (which I recommend) but it is good if you can spot them yourself so you are prepared.

How does it smell? Cigarettes or cats don’t smell great but are less problematic than dampness/mould/mildew and the bigger issue of what is causing it.

Are the walls physically damp/moist? Is the wallpaper or paint peeling/flaking off? Are there watermarks on the ceiling/walls? 

If it is full of furniture? try your best to look beyond that – 1. In terms of imagination and 2. To be able to see actual problems that have perhaps been covered up 

How does the brickwork look outside? Is the pointing poor or are there blown bricks? Broken brick dust on the floor?

What does the roof look like? Lots of slipped or missing slates/tiles? Even a roof that looks ok can be hiding a multitude of sins.

Do the external doors need replacing? Either for draught proofing or aesthetic purposes 

What condition are the internal doors? Many period properties have doors boarded – they may be beautiful underneath or could have had their features stripped (very upsetting discovery) in which case it is an extra cost to repair or replace entirely – this cost can seriously add up. 

Floorboards – sometimes harder to check but useful if you can. Are they rotting/cracked/damp/bitten away?

Wall or Ceiling Cracks – again generally better for a professional to check as many cracks can be harmless but a lot can indicate a structural problem 

Drains – Are they blocked? Look like a possible problem? What condition are the gutters and downspouts/ waste pipes? Are they old cast iron and cracked?  Depending how prone to flooding your area is to flooding as well as an extra factor 

Windows – how old are they? Do you want original wooden sash or new UPVC? Will you have to pay for a full house of new windows plus installation (which is not cheap) Are they old plastic and failing to properly insulate? Is water gathered/ mould at the base of them? Is there damp or mould on the walls around the window?  Exterior beading is also a possible security risk. 

Bathroom layout – very often in older homes, the bathroom and toilet are separate – would you want them both as one? Logistically how does the floorpan work with that? Will the size then be sufficient for you or still too small? If you aren’t confident enough with renovations to know the answers then at least make a note of the questions you have and refer to a builder/renovation contractor. Bathroom renovations can be costly and disruptive so it’s something you want to make sure is worthwhile. You can see the floorpans online but it is much better to get a feel for the size of the space while you are in the property.

Kitchen layout – the same point as above, many people want large open living spaces now during a kitchen renovation and it often involves knocking walls down (not work to be taken too lightly) would the space then be suitable or would it require an extension to get what you really want? Again; even more money and time are required. Try and visualise the spaces per room and assess if you would be happy with it – kitchen makeovers are one of the most exciting aspects of a home renovation but also one of the most costly! 

House direction – use a compass app on your phone to check the exact direction of the gardens and if you are happy with the plot – not something that can be changed so is very important if it is on your non-negotiable! There are even apps to calculate exactly where the sun lies at different times of day/year so that can be really handy if it is an important factor to you.

Local area – Drive around the nearby streets after the viewing to see if you would be happy with living in the local area 

What is included – If you notice anything specific that you would hope was included then make a note of them and ask specifically. Some people take very odd things that you wouldn’t even consider so a fancy chandelier is definitely worth an ask when it’s been known for the carpets to be whipped up and off they go. 

When was this last worked on? – Even if you are wanting a home renovation, sometimes not everything is beyond all hope so if some factors don’t look quite as ancient then knowing the most recent year that any work was completed on the following is helpful:

• • Roof

• • Gutters/drainage 

• • Boiler/central heating system

• • Electrical wiring

• • Windows 

• • Driveway 

• • Any loft boarding/insulation 

Video/photograph the property if possible!

This of course depends on whether the property is empty or not and whether the owner gives permission as it could be seen as quite invasive. I consider it the best method for reviewing rather than requesting more and more viewings – especially as they are quite rushed. I re-watch the video and make a note of  the following:

• • Work that definitely needs doing 

• • Work that may possibly need doing and can only be confirmed once you rip things up etc

• • Styles/ideas that you think would suit the space 

This will then give you an idea of the work required = the tradespeople required (or what is possible to carry out yourselves) This will then give you a rough idea of costs to work out what price you are able to offer after the viewing. 

Let me know your thoughts! Have you found this helpful? Is there anything you would add to it? 

Leave a comment below – Would love to hear from you!

Remember to seek professional advice at all key stages – this is just my opinion!