What to ask at viewing

[Icantfindausername]

Help I've not moved house for 20 years ideas of what to ask please.

Thanks x

Nothing really... I look around, check the layout, windows, check where the boiler is, radiators, look around the garden.

I have a checklist of things that I want - so I look out for them. I ask any questions that may come from this...

What are the neighbours like?

What appliances are in the kitchen and what woukd be included in the sale eg I integrated fridge freezer etc.

Forms of heating

Age/service history of boiler

Council tax band

Parking arrangments

Local amenities eg play parks

I had a checklist of things, some really trivial like where do they store their outside bins or the ironing board to what can I see from the sofa when I sit down and how old does the sealant look in the kitchen and bathrooms? Also which way does the house face, is there sufficient parking, is the garden manageable?

But yes, I would ask about the area, the neighbours, any parking issues or issues with teens hanging around outside, any noise issues from anything nearby from roads, commercial places which includes the woman across the road is a childminder with an assistant and has 15 children every day (no limit on numbers over the age of 8, or there didn't used to be).

Who’s conducting the viewings? Because with the best will in the world towards the previous posters, if it’s the estate agent, they know nothing about neighbours, bins, parking, gardens, or local businesses and even if they did they work for the seller who’s their client so they wouldn’t tell you anything negative. They want to make a sale.

If you want a sense of the local area and neighbours, visit on your own several times at different times of day. Important stuff will come up in the searches. Any statutory stuff, contact the council. Ask vendors for copies of utility bills.

@ComtesseDeSpair I disagree. Agents generally show in their own area, and it's their business to know it well. They may not know what day the bins go out but should know about schools and amenities in the area. They may not know who the neighbours are but the seller is hardly going to reveal that they party every night either. Though I do agree with you so much information is available online.
However OP first viewings are really just about the feel of the property, as presumably you already know if it has enough bedrooms and is near a train station/school/park as you have done your research. You should already know what direction the garden faces, whether there's gas, whether it's next door to a pub or what have you and what similiar houses have sold for in the area. All easily discovered if not in the actual description.
I never understand people who go to showings and say things like 'too many stairs' when they should have known the property is over four floors, or 'road is too busy' . Why waste your time? So if you see a place you fancy online, take the time to read the details, do a street view. Look at the local area. Drive by. Then if it still passes muster make an appointment to view. Once there you check on the condition, get a feel for the layout and if it 'feels right'. If you like somewhere, make another appointment to see it at another time of day. That's when you really start looking at the details: do the light switches look modern, do the rooms get light when you want them too, are the bathrooms modern or are the tiles worn and need replacing, are the external pipes above drains and are they free of debris, is the flooring in good shape, any signs of damp etc etc. Decide what amount of work you are happy with, or if a new house or newly decorated is to your taste. You can't start deducting work from a price just because you want to change the layout or kitchen, for example, to suit you - and condition is usually taken in to account when price is decided. But by all means go in 5-10% or more below ask, even if the house is tip top. It opens the negotiations. Good luck!

I disagree with above comment.
we purchased recently, the person who showed us around not the agent we dealt with didn't know much about the area or able to answer any questions related to the house.
I needed quick answers as the market was going crazy and the property was right, couldn't waste time to wait for replies.
offered, so other viewers too.
bit frustrating, but properties were selling like hot cakes.

You can ask about the neighbours all you want but no-one trying to sell their home is going to be honest if they are awful. 🤷🏼‍♀️ As I imagine that’ll be why they are moving! Equally, when we were asked that question (we did the viewings), I felt like buyers thought we were probably lying in saying they are all v quiet & pleasant. Which we weren’t. We genuinely live in a quiet & friendly street!