What do you wish you had checked when you viewed a property.

[AddictedToRightmove]

Just as the title says. What do you wish you had checked during your viewing?

So we moved in our property 3 years ago and after we moved in we found out:

1. none of the extracter fans were working (2 en suites and 1 family bathroom)
2. one of the sparks wasn't even there on the stove.
3. wish we visited during early evening to see how warm the house would be and how daylight effects the house.

Probably some more to add later! But also what is the etiquette on viewing a house? Can we just gi and put the stove on to check? Check the water pressure in the shower? Check the extractor fan?

Also worth visiting a property in poor weather in winter. You'll never see it look worse.

Check for batshit neighbours.

Camp out overnight to see how many times said batshit neighbours will wake you up per night.

If there are wood burners, get the seller to confirm they are working, up-to-date on regulations and have been serviced

I wish I we could have checked all the pipe work and electrics before we moved in. The amount of remedial work we’ve had to do over the years thanks to Mr Bodgit that used to live here.

If you happen to view a house in the winter, see if the roof still has snow on it. If it hasn’t, it’s very poorly insulated. The heat will be escaping from the roof and melting the snow. Random, I know but it occurs to me every time it snows. Our roof has snow on much longer than our neighbours because dh insulated the attic again.

For squeaky floorboards.

We rent moderately high end places but test like mad as we can't change things and you don't know how good agent or landlord is at sorting stuff - so we always turn taps on , flush loos, look inside oven, switch hob on, switch shower on, switch lights on in rooms and if it's not summer and heating isn't on we always ask to view again with heating on if we like it. We always ask if the window keys are available and present before we sign too - you get the odd tetchy agent but most totally understand .

I would be the same if we were buying too

I check water pressure, windows/glazing for leaky bits, I prod external wood to check for rot and always ask to look in the loft which has often caused some odd looks.

Even checking everything doesn't mean that the boiler will last for more than a week after completion, or that the cistern will overflow and freeze up in the same week as the boiler packs up.
Checking the oven will not ensure that it works for more than 3 months or that the window glazing won't mist up as soon as the boiler is replaced and turned on.

Rather than check the house, take a good look at the seller, and if it's a lawyer in NW London run a mile.

Flood risk. Well actually I did check it. And on the basis of it rejected a couple of properties that were otherwise pretty much ideal. So, so glad I did this, as those roads have indeed since flooded, with impact on the properties.

We once saw a house in a lovely location, huge garden. House itself was small, but all the neighbours had extended so we figured we could do that. It was only after we had agreed a price, a chance convo with a neighbour told me that extensions were not permitted post 1970s as it was a conservation area, not even windows cold be changed without lengthy process, so there was no chance we could build anything. Important to check this if you want any work done!

There have been a few niggles - but to be honest nothing that would have stopped me buying the house.

I do think you can get carried away about little things that can be fixed or replaced. No house will be perfect.

I knew what I wanted in terms of location; size and condition.

Small stuff like whether carpets need replaced, built in appliances etc can all be dealt with. People get obsessed with boilers - if you are that concerned knock a few grand off your offer.

focus on the big stuff that cannot be fixed (tiny garden, flood risk, not enough space, no off road car parking, planning permission for adjoining houses), would be expensive to fix (structural issues, in need of new kitchen or bathroom) or would make your life hell (problem neighbours, very busy road, noise from nearby businesses).

I would never not buy a house - or even haggle on price - over the oven.

@Bellyblueboy I agree on that.

Cracks in internal walls

I agree surveyors do miss things but don't they usually check water pressure? I remember reading about it in reports.
Neighbours' back gardens are a useful indicator. Not just overgrown but that kind of not really interested/dumping ground look.

2nd viewings are all about those things. Turn on all the fixtures and fittings- lights, showers, taps, fitted appliances and note any issues or funny noises. Ask to look at the boiler, the fuseboard, the water tank, get in the loft or cellar.
Make sure you also visit the house at different times of day, weekdays and weekends (even if it's just the outside area), as you never know what you might have missed in terms of school traffic, local businesses etc

We went to view but owners son there A bit difficult and agent told
us to ask sols if any queries!

This

Currently have my house on the offer. It’s a newbuild is very sought after location.

One buyer wants my shed, some of my garden furniture, and my range cooker (cooker will be brought with us) needless to say we have not accepted their offer, which is 5k under asking price.
Don’t miss out on a house that you love because you’re trying to get your “pound of flesh”
Sellers who have no issues to hide, won’t put up with it, really.

Yes, exactly. Some people’s stipulations are a bit mad.

My perfect house was on a busy road, it really was perfect. But as busy I went back and walked the length of it at non rush hour time a couple of times, 400 cars drove past in 45 minutes. We didn’t proceed.

I also knock on the adjacent neighbours houses. I know neighbours change but any sign of trampolines next to the fence, messy gardens, lots of dogs bark when you knock on the door. That’s a hard no.

I suppose it depends on the market where you live but in my area you wouldn't get the luxury of several viewings over time, houses are snapped up quicker than that and there are enough buyers that sellers won't entertain fussy ones.

That's hilarious. And totally the type of thing which would happen to me! 😳😬🤣

My neighbours with the completely over grown garden are no trouble at all, and the overgrown garden is full of wildlife. My neighbour with the pristine garden is the one blasting music all summer long.

Or the neighbours might have the heating on twice as hot as yours ?

Sit quietly in the road facing rooms and nite the noise/vibration.

We viewed our current house on successive saturdays when the road is quiet. Lovely tree lined road.

Monday to Friday 6am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm it becomes a crazy rat run of tradsmans diesel vans and school runners.

My least favourite house was held together by nails it appears and alot of bad DIY. I didn't checked anything enough. I also didn't check the neighbors. I sold at a loss 17 months later.

I checked everything here! I had trades out to check electrics and plumbing. Even so I still had to fix the loo and the outside sink pipe within a week of moving in.

But things can be fixed. Nightmare neighbors cannot be.

Always check water pressure/ fans/ drafts/ windows/ cracks/ noise/damp/ anti social behaviour/ which way the sunlight goes. Sounds odd until you have the sun blazing through your window for 8 hours a day.

I check behind and under things, check for leaks. Fire alarms/ fire safety. Creaking floorboards but some people like them. Flush toilets- some start up a three minute roaring noise that is unbearable. Are the cupboards flush.

Also, never buy a basement due to damp.