What do you want to know when you view a house?

[SoRainbowRhythms]

Going on the market imminently and doing the viewings myself. Would like to make a bit of a list of things to cover off so asking the MN hive mond what they'd like to hear!

That the neighbours aren't nuts (mine is, mostly harmless though).
Boiler etc in working order with certificates/guarantees.

What are local schools like and how easy is it to get in? How far are shops? Noise from traffic, flights? Neighbours? How old is boiler?

How much council tax is, how fast the broadband is, catchment for schools

What the neighbours are like
How noisy it is from traffic etc
Are any housing developments planned that will change the character of the area

Where is the boiler
Where is the stopcock
How much is the council tax
How much is the heating
What is being left behind (if anything)
What services does it have eg virgin or super fast broad band
If a family home, what are the catchment schools
where's the nearest play park/shop
Is parking for visitors ok?

-Council tax
-Gas and electric costs
-Any weird costs (I suppose thinking about service charges there, not relevant fir a house)
-Direction of sunlight
-Any works that have been done, even quite minor

• works you would choose to do if you were staying

Neighbours, I don’t rely on what the seller says. I also look to see what could be developed around that area.

I visit at all times, last house I was considering buying I took my children trick or treating down the road and could knock on the door as they had a pumpkin out.

Also look at crime stats, is there are lots of anti social behaviour stuff in an area then I wouldn’t consider.

I'ts a legal requirement to declare on one of the sales forums once a buyer is found to declare disputes etc.

I would ask, you is leaving?
The chain, how long is it
Are you open to offers?
Have you had problems with anyone in the area (legal required to declare)
when was the boiler service, when were the eltrics replaced, checked, how old is the CH and when was it last servied
What are you leaving behind
How quickly you want to move
Have buyer pulled out
does you drive get blocked

You'll find it difficult to get a heads up about nutty neighbours.

Boiler age.

When the roof was last replaced, depending on age of house

Where the sun sets and rises

Go at different times of the day to check out parking, road noise and traffic

The first few question - anyone who is a serious buyer would have done their homework about those, ie schools, shops, flight paths,

visit the place different times of day and weekends to see what parkins like

@DistinguishedSocialCommentator catchment schools are not always obvious and would mean going through the councils stats of furthest distance offered etc...much easier to ask someone who lives there

House stuff:
General state of electrics, boiler, plumbing
Any damp or mould issues
Roof condition
Any visible cracks/structural issues
Any restrictions on building work (eg listed)

Neighbourhood stuff:
Noise
Road/parking/traffic issues
Neighbours
Schools
Broadband
Bin collection
Local amenities (pubs, post office, restaurants, cafes, libraries, sports centres, supermarkets, etc).

Who owns what boundaries, left, right, behind etc.
To be able to look inside the garage or shed, and if services such as electric are connected. If correct permissions were obtained for dropped kerbs if there are any present. Paperwork for evidence of maintenance on gutters/boiler/burners. To be able to see that electrics and heating work. To be able to turn on a cold water tap to check the pressure. To be able to look inside the loft.
The answers would have a bearing on making an offer.

The sellers shouldn't be providing any of this information. Just stick to the searches, solicitors and surveyors.

If potential buyers have any specific questions, they should go through the estate agents. Do not offer any information you're not asked for.

Oh wait, just saw that you're doing the viewings yourself. Are you sure you want to do it this way?

What’s the water pressure like, I hate low water pressure!
Age of the boiler and when was it last checked?
broadband speed.

There is no dispute with the neighbour, she is just as mad as box of frogs. Harmless, but 20 years on we avoid her as much as possible. Her roof always seems to leak on Christmas Day!

The thing I like to hear when I'm viewing a house is that the owner won't be there.

I'd much rather be shown around by an estate agent.

Nothing that I would ask the vendor really. I would do my own research on most of the things people have listed, eg school catchments. In fact I would have already done it before arranging a viewing.

Try to sus out the demographic of the potential buyer and sell the lifestyle they might want. Nearby walks or green spaces, shops, schools, pubs. Sound like you've enjoyed living there and it's been a good home.

Age of boiler and when last serviced.

Rewire done if older house.

What works if any, have you done to the property. Have you got relevant paperwork eg building control sign offs, fensa certs etc.

What would be staying eg range cooker or are there built in appliances etc.

Brief overview of the area including neighbours.

Reason for moving and lengthof chain.

Council tax band confirmed.

The rubbish collections - how often they are and is the council one of the insane ones who take you to court if they see an edge of cardboard sticking out of the recycle bin.
How much the council tax is for the past year before any deductions.
Internet speed.
What mobile reception is like.
If you can get things like Takeaways, Deliveroo, Tesco/Waitrose/Whoever local supermarket is deliveries, Uber/Cabs etc..
Mains sewage or septic tank.

Mostly important if you live in the middle of nowhere rather than in a town/city.

This is all very helpful, thanks everyone!

(How to you find out where your stopcock is? 🤣)

How long is the walk to the nearest public transport?
How old is the boiler?
When were the windows last replaced?
Nearest shop, pub and park?
Does the garage fit a modern car in it?

This. I hate viewing with the owner present.