What to ask/be wary of at Second Viewing

[MrsCosmopilite]

Just that really.

We've been out of the loop for 15 years with regard to the property market, but now need to upsize.

Seen a property we like and have arranged a second viewing. I don't want to link to it here but it's a semi-detached, with an extension. The extension has a flat roof. There's a garage with power which is used as storage. A big garden. Residential area, pretty quiet.

Seller is moving to be near family, and apparently after a quick sale.

What should I be looking at with my head and not my heart?

I'd suggest you ask about insulation, energy bills etc.

make the second viewing at a different time from the first. You need to visit at weekends and weekdays and after dark (not hard at the moment)

heating - how old is the boiler? Has it been serviced? Heating system flushed, thermostatic valves etc
insulation and windows as mentioned
neighbours - barking dogs? Someone with a drumkit? Deaf old person with loud TV? Screaming kids?
flat roofs have a limited life. How old is it? Also if it is more than a certain percentage of the area of the house it will ad to your insurance.
which way does everything face? How much sun does it all get?
security - decent locks? Locks on all windows?

nearby: pubs( shrieking drunks), schools (parking problem and litter), roads, rail lines.

I'd also look at storage. Built in is always a bonus, if they have wardrobes & cupboards that they'll take with them assess where you could have built in storage.
I 2nd going to visit at a different time so if you can hear external noise; roads, railway, planes.
Also, ask about the neighbours.

What are the neighbours like?
Has the area ever flooded?
Is there a flat roof/dodgy DIY extension?
How is the boiler? We looked at one place with new deco and an ancient 1970s boiler that looked way too small for te house.
Is the double glazing in good nick?
Look VERY carefully for damp/mould/stains where showers may have leaked on the ceilings, or they may have painted over ropy bits. Our vendors hid damp patches behind wardrobes (which meant the surveyors missed it too)
Are the ceilings tall enough for your belongings/relatives?
In short, all the things it would cost ££ to sort out!

Also do a drive-by at a) school run time and b) 10pm on a Saturday night. If the place is stuffed with queuing traffic or drunks/undesirables, better to find out before you place an offer!!!

I know some of these - neighbours fine.

No pubs within walking/driving distance.

Own driveway and parking not an issue, although it gets busy locally at school pickup. (The plus is both primary & secondary are within walking distance)
Storage - an entire garage plus loft space
Flooding - no not that area
Far enough away from railway to not be a problem (farther than we are now), and road not as busy as the one we're on.

Insulation and bills definitely a good idea - there's a fair amount of glass.
Double glazing needs to be checked, as does boiler.
Central heating throughout, and a gas fire in lounge. Untested but can ask if we can put on.
Locks need to be assessed.
Flat roof is reasonably new, but will be asking for details
Good idea to look behind furniture/under rugs
Ceiling height is fine. DH is tallest and he didn't bash his head on anything.

I've driven by at night and it's fine. Only thing is it isn't possible to do this viewing at a vastly different time owing to our own commitments/constraints. However, DH knows the area pretty well so no major concerns with location.

But should have said, thank you for all the feedback and comments. Please keep them coming!

The most important issue is the neighbours and immediate neighbourhood.

Look on police.uk and check crime for your neighbourhood. It was a deciding factor for us. We were looking at a smaller house in an upmarket area and crime was much higher than an area which is considered not so desirable though still nice with a lot less crime and bigger house.