Home viewing advice for first-time buyers please

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Hi. OH and I are looking to buy our first home (in Scotland). We are in the process of getting a mortgage in principle, and are starting to look at homes. We are in agreement on the basics of what we want (e.g. neighborhoods, price range, bedrooms, basically the things you look for when choosing a rental).

Neither of us has ever done this before, so I am nervous that we will overlook something important.

Can people share some of their tips for first time buyers on how to critically look at a house they are interested in purchasing?

Are there telltale signs of future problems that you only learned after becoming a homeowner?

Where did you learn what to look for? Can you recommend informative books or websites?

Note, we do not have a mountain of extra cash for renovation, so are only looking at places that are currently liveable and need only superficial changes (e.g. paint).

Thanks in advance.

I look for double glazing, whether the roof needs attention, how old the boiler is and whether there are any signs of damp. They would be the most expensive issues to sort out. Then look at how busy the street is, whether the other houses look as if they are looked after and ask them what their neighbours are like. I've only learned this stuff from moving several times and making some costly mistakes. Even if you don't notice some stuff your survey will highlight anything big.

Look at as many houses online as you can so you can compare any you see in real life to those online
Look at the really expensive things like
Electrics- is it in need of a rewire, are there plenty of sockets in each room, are the sockets on the skirting boards as this is a sign it needs rewiring as it's no longer legal
How old is the boiler? Is it old and expensive to run? Where is it? If it's in the bedroom then it's not ideal and would be expensive to move
What's the heating? Are there radiator valves on the radiators
Look critically at the kitchen and bathroom as these are expensive to replace
Storage - are there enough cupboards? Never underestimate the need for storage in all your rooms
Check the windows are fitted well and are not draughty
Where is the washing machine? I've viewed houses where the washer and dryer were in the garage and that's no good on the rain or the dark
Parking, is there off road, what's the situation during different parts of the day , you don't want a house next to a school or an office block where you will never be able to park near your house
Ask them why they are moving and try to get a look at the neighbours
Look out of every window to spot any dodgy things in neighbours gardens and to check out the neighbourhood
You will want to redecorate but if he house hasn't been redocorated in years then it is likely to have been neglected for years and new wallpaper is likely to be the least of your worries

Good luck!

Check for damp, then check for damp again! How old is the boiler, and the electrics? What's the water pressure like - run the tap in the bathroom and flush the loo at the same time. If it's an old house, look at the roof from the outside - is there any sign of sagging/bowing?

All the advice above is exactly what I was going to write!

Another thing you could do is order your priorities in a house, so if you have to compromise at all, you have already discussed and decided together on what you would be more willing to sacrifice, eg. Is a garden more or less important than off street parking? Good luck!

Look at the home report. This will tell you if there are any obvious problems. Where we are most people use aspc website. Do you have an equivalent where you are? Look for things such as storeage, how busy the street is if no off street parking etc. If you google you will be able to find sold prices so can what neighbouring properties have sold for. Do you know what the market is like?

Also think about stuff outside the house. Where is the corner shop, not the shops you just need a pint of milk? What is the parking like - even if you don't have a car yet? Exactly how long the commute will take from that front door, different bus routes or different traffic jams.

Things that are inconvenient in a rental, become much bigger when you are living in a place for 10 years or more.

Thanks everyone for the responses, that is exactly the kind of advice that we were looking for! We don't live near family, so will have to do most of this on our own.

We are going to an open viewing for an older house this afternoon (not really expecting to buy it, just wanting to get experience), soI'll be bringing along a list of things to look for.

cheers

I agree with all of the above and add - where will the ironing board and vacuum cleaner go? That was high up my list.

I've been stung twice on trying to buy houses with loft extensions without planning permission/building regs. Try to find out up-front if they have a completion certificate for the works done. For planning permission, you can get indemnity insurance in case the council tells you to pull it down. When it comes to building reg sign-off, if the loft isn't built right, you can be in a far more tricky situation.

So, if you do get something that has had major work, get it in writing that the property has planning permission and a building reg completion certificate before you spend lots of money on surveys and solicitors fees.

If you've got no family around, do you have a trusted local friend / work colleague? They might be ideal to take on a second viewing, which should be about checking out the practicalities.

You've got your budget, and as this is your first property, I'll assume you perhaps don't intend living there forever? In which case, be realistic about what you're buying. At the first-time buyer end of the property, rooms may be small, you may not get en-duties & utility rooms etc

Take a tape measure with you. Check the size of furniture they've got, and the size of anything you've got or want. You shouldn't rule out somewhere because of a piece of furniture, but there might be important things to you. E.g. If the bedroom is only wide enough for side tables and bed, you'd better check if it's a double .... because you'll not get your kingsize AND side tables in.
How many ways can you fit furniture in? Like most folk for a while, I was convinced I'd get a corner sofa .... but when I looked at dimensions compared with my lounge, it just wouldn't work anywhere. DFS have an online tool, where you can play about with room sizes & sofa options.

As you're in Scotland, speak to the estate agent (and others, and your solicitor) to get an idea of what the "offers over" logic is in your area at the moment.

Give us links of properties you're looking at, and we can give you sensible feedback!

And depending whereabouts you are in Scotland, I'll come to your viewings as the sensible old biddy

From my own experiences- check that the hot water tank holds enough water to fill the bath, if it's not a combi boiler. Some styles of bathtub hold a tremendous amount of water!
Hold your hand up the the double Glazing and feel for drafts/ breezes coming through.

Look on rightmove for previous times it's been on the market so you can see the photos from when the seller bought it- you can see what's been done (or not done)

I found this thread invaluable when we were looking for our first home.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2218071

I agree with all the above which is all very sensible advice. I would also say go with your gut instinct. Even if it ticks lots of boxes, if you don't really feel it, then maybe its not the house for you. It's the biggest investment you'll ever make, so make it one that make your head AND heart happy! :)

I agree with all the above. Also try to get a sense of the quality of finish on work that has been done. When a house is full of furniture and belongings I it's easy to miss signs of shoddy DIY etc. These can prove costly to sort out so try to get a feel for the likelihood of bodge jobs.

Turn on all the taps to check they work, flush all the toilets and turn on the shower to check water pressure. You'd be surprised how often they can be problematic.

Have a good look at the the windows for evidence of mould or blown panes on double glazing.

If the owners are there use a friendly chat as an opportunity to flush out their circumstances as this is useful info.

Try to go and see the house, or at least the street, at different times of day.

Good luck!

lso try to get a sense of the quality of finish on work that has been done. When a house is full of furniture and belongings I it's easy to miss signs of shoddy DIY etc. These can prove costly to sort out so try to get a feel for the likelihood of bodge jobs.

This is great advice. I just moved somewhere that is bodge central and turning into a bit of a nightmare to sort out!

Have a look and see how things have been done - if they have been done the easiest cheapest and shittest way... this signifies short cuts will have been taken throughout.

location, location, location. Nearby busy road/pub/school (parking/litter)? Upcoming planning applications? Things not yet in planning but rumoured? Visit after dark and at weekends.

also that dodgy DIY thing. Never forgotten the one with the screwdriver jammed in the diverter valve in the airing cupboard...

why are they moving?

Don't be fooled by the decor or furniture - and that works both ways. The house you're viewing might look awful because of the owner's dodgy furniture or nasty curtains for example. Or, conversely, you might be blown away by the beautiful way they've decorated or dressed the house but remember YOU'RE NOT BUYING THEIR STUFF!

It's difficult but try and look past the contents and look at the bare bones of the house - is it bright and airy, or dark and dank and would need lamps and lights on constantly? Does it have storage, especially for things like your Hoover and ironing board? Friends of mine bought a stunning new build and then realised once moved in there was nowhere to store the ironing board - it has to live in the downstairs loo propped up by the toilet which isn't ideal...

Don't underestimate things like parking, proximity to public areas (could be awful or wonderful being next to a public park for example), local noise, local facilities,

IME some of house hunting is practicalities and common sense and some of it relies on that instinctive "I could see myself living here" feeling.

if you are planning to have children or a dog, where is the nearest park - imagine going there regularily with a stroppy toddler on foot. Find the biggest nicest park you can and buy something nearby; that will always be a good location

Dry rot in the roof timbers

collapsed drains causing subsidence and rising damp

east west north or south? If nicest room in house faces North you are wasting the best light, conversely North facing bedrooms can be very peaceful whereas South facing bedrooms can be impossibly hot.

If you leave for work at first light and return regularily at teatime an East facing kitchen or living space might be underappreciated, West or South West might be better.

Beware giant Eucaplyptus trees in neighbours gardens, ditto sycamores.

Watch out Japanese Knotweed

Jump on floors to check joists, creaking floorboard under carpet can mean dodgy joists

Watch out for rooms knocked through and no supporting beam

No loft head clearance or escape hatch

Does park have big festivals or loud music every Saturday if it is very near (not good)

School catchment - is it very tight, in which case it might change and get tighter and it is not much point bothering

Is there any suitable primary nearby (this will affect rental and selling on even if you move later) ditto outstanding Secondary - BUT might increase price when you might not care particularily about school and prefer a lower price for similar house in different area

We bought our house right next to the school we wanted, before even having children, and in order to be next to shops and transport, but further down the line, although I do love my house and its amenities I wish I had been near a really big park!!! (there is a smaller one though)

I ended up taking my boss to a home viewing, mostly because I asked for an early lunch to see a house and he invited himself along. Mortifying on many levels, but also he wasn't scared to just point at stuff and say that doesn't look right or why is that there etc as he hadn't fallen in love with it online before the visit like I had. Wanted the ground to swallow me up at the time but I would definitely recommend a neutral party to come with you if possible