Viewing after accepted offer- what to check/ask

[Notmyyearthisyear]

Been very lucky to have an offer accepted and after a couple of weeks arranged another viewing. I’ll have 30 minutes at the property, other than things such as position of radiators/ sockets etc., what would you wise people be checking for/measuring etc.? Keen to make the most of the viewing, it’s a 3 bed semi with a nice garden and a garage. The vendor will be there so I guess I could ask some questions as well, not entirely sure on the etiquette…
please help and share your experiences both as a buyer and a seller , both things to do and definitely not do do 😊

What are the neighbours like?
Bin day?
What are the local schools like?
Did you ever have extension plans passed?

What types of locks etc for the insurance.

Where is the stop cock, gas and elec meters and fuseboard?

Measure the windows for new curtains/blinds? Check what sort of poles are fitted and if they are staying there.

Measure door widths if you have large furniture to identify if you might struggle to get it inside.

What are the local rules on bins and recycling?

Check your water pressure, I never checked mine and it’s non existent.

Thanks everyone! More advice still welcome, I’m going later today!

Be honest. Don't say you are going "to measure up" but then go without a tape measure and clearly no intention of taking any measurements. Don't say you are going "to measure up" and take 3 other family members with you unless you have arranged this with the Seller.
Been there, Seller whose buyer did this.
Could be an opportunity to discuss items that seller might be leaving, freestanding white goods, wardrobes etc. We are selling at the moment. If the buyer wants the free standing wardrobes and dishwasher they can have them, if not we will see that they are removed.
Our buyer hasn't asked for a second viewing yet which is a shame because the garden looks lovely now, a huge clematis montana in full bloom and leaves on the acers.

Errm… I am actually going to measure up 😂 so I can start planning the furniture layout between now and completion! Just thought there might be other things worth checking that haven’t occurred to me.

Ask about the neighbours?

I'd second asking what's going and what might stay. We got the dishwasher at our first place for a small fee from vendor, for example.

Boiler age, service record and control panel (we had Hive, new house has very basic programme).

Is loft accessible, insulated, boarded, has a ladder?

Appliances, what's being left, space available for yours, plumbing, waste and plugs. Will your fridge door open the right way?

Ask if you can take photos - position of doors, windows, plugs.

Light fittings - position, what are they leaving?
Ditto curtain poles.

State of the carpets - can you get them cleaned before your stuff goes in?

@FleeceNavidadfromtheSheep that’s very helpful thank you!

Yes to all of the above. Especially windows! Do they all open/have keys? Are any of them an odd size. I've just had to have curtains made for my living room, I didn't clock that 2 of the windows were too wide for ready made curtains. I'll need two more sets making for one of the bedrooms where the windows are too high for standard drop curtains.

Yes to gas/elec meters and water stop cock

Look at the parking situation, is there enough spaces for you + visitors

Plug sockets- which walls will you put furniture against and are there enough sockets on other walls, especially for where you want tvs to go.

Door widths and corners! Yes my sofa nearly went in through the window.

It's really hard to see things until you are in though, neither of us noticed that in our kitchen the floor tiles go up to the kitchen units instead of kick boards, so we can't just whip a cupboard out to put a dishwasher in without smashing some tiles and trying to match replacements