House Viewings
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The importance of house viewings
Buying a house isn’t straightforward, and often the hardest part is finding one to purchase.
Properties can be snapped up very quickly and they can be so popular that estate agents will stop viewings if there is a lot of interest. Be prepared and get your foot in the door early, otherwise you might miss out.
Ensure you have your Mortgage in Principle certificate and proof of deposit on hand before scheduling viewings, both to show you’re a serious buyer and to prove your offer is valid, should you decide to put one in.
How do I find a property to buy?
Estate agents
The best place to start is with Rightmove, Zoopla, and On The Market. A lot of estate agents list their properties on these sites, so it saves you time. You can set your search area, filter by price, type of property, and number of bedrooms, and can even choose whether or not you want your search results to show properties on special schemes.
Even if nothing catches your eye immediately, you’ll get a general idea of which agents cover your desired area. Get in touch with them and let them know what you’re looking for. In some cases, you can get advanced notice of properties that are going up for sale before they are advertised. Keep a record of who you have registered with.
Not all agents use these sites, so compare the list of agents you’ve already spoken with to Google’s search for ‘estate agents in [town]’.
Other methods
In order to save on estate agent fees, some people are turning to alternative methods of selling their homes, such as Facebook Marketplace. It lets you search by city or town before narrowing the parameters with price, property type, and number of bedrooms.
When you have narrowed your search to a specific street or small area, take the initiative – write a letter to the owners telling them that you are interested in buying. Don’t forget to leave your contact information. You never know, someone might be interested in selling; if they have an interested buyer, it might give them the push they need.
What do SSTC, OIRO, and POA mean on property listings?
SSTC means ‘sold subject to contract’. The seller has accepted an offer on the property and legal proceedings are underway but not yet completed. Things could still fall through – someone could change their mind or there could be an issue with the mortgage or survey – and the property might then go back on the market.
OIRO means ‘offers in the region of’. This gives you a sense of the price the seller wants for the house. Bear in mind they will have likely been guided by their estate agent, if they are using one.
POA means ‘price on application/asking’. The seller wants to keep the price a secret, and potential buyers have to enquire with the estate agent. In practice it usually means it’s expensive!
I’ve seen property I like – how do I book house viewings?
It’s always advisable to view a property before making an offer. Photographs can be misleading, and some things can only be seen (or smelled!) in person.
Ask the estate agent, or the seller directly if they aren’t using an agent, to schedule a viewing. Don’t be surprised if they want to see your Mortgage in Principle and proof of funds first!
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Do you have a question?
What should I look for at house viewings?
While some sellers like to be present at viewings, others give the keys to the estate agent and let them handle it. It may not be possible to ask the owner questions directly, so make a note of any questions you have; the estate agent can ask the seller for you if they don’t know the answer.
For example, you might want to know why the owner is selling. Are they relocating for work or is there a problem with the property or the neighbours they don’t want to deal with? If you buy the house, how will that affect you?
While nobody expects you to be an expert – that’s what surveyors are for! – there are some basic things you can look for at a viewing.
Structural problems
Does the brickwork have any cracks? Check the points where extensions attach to the main building, around bay windows, and end-terrace walls – these areas are more likely to ‘pull away’ from the rest of your house than others. A surveyor can examine them in more detail.
Damp
Getting rid of damp can be a hassle. Look out for flaking plaster or paint, mould, watermarks, and musty smells. Ceilings, chimney breasts, and skirting boards are usually the most affected.
Roof
Do the tiles look cracked or misplaced? Are there weeds growing out of the gutters or around the chimney? These are signs the roof might need some work doing to it. And if it isn’t sufficiently watertight, there could be damp inside.
Windows
Condensation and a misty appearance indicate faulty double glazing. This occurs naturally when the glass reaches the end of its lifespan.
Frames should be solid if they are made of wood. If you can push your finger into it, it’s rotted.
Plumbing and electrics
How old is the boiler? Do the radiators and thermostats work? What’s the water pressure like? Does the wiring meet current regulations? Are there enough power sockets?
Storage space
Is there a cupboard under the stairs? Is the attic adequately boarded and accessible? Where could you put things like an ironing board or a hoover?
Chat with our expert advisor
What to remember when at house viewings
Staging
Clever staging can fool you.
Some tricks of the trade include getting the house to smell nice, lighting the fire or candles to make it feel cosy, dotting plants around to give off a fresh vibe, and using mirrors to make the room seem bigger.
Remember that the house will probably be empty when you get the keys. Will you still like it?
Time and day
Your viewing will usually take place during daylight hours, possibly during the week when the neighbours might be at work. Visit again and see how the area changes at night and at weekends. In the daytime it could be lovely and quiet, but in the evenings you might hear loud music or screaming and shouting from next door.
Similarly, you might have safety concerns at night or could have trouble parking if you don’t have a drive.
The key thing to take away from house viewings
You can make changes to the house once it’s yours. As long as it’s structurally sound and habitable, you can repaint, re-carpet, put in a new kitchen and bathroom (subject to budget, of course), even add an extension if there’s scope to do so… all of these things can make a big difference to your home.
What you can’t do is decide who your neighbours are or where the house is located.
If you’re going to feel trapped there, unsafe, or just unhappy with your surroundings, it isn’t the house for you.
