What to look for in a 2nd viewing when it "needs modernisation"

[AnybodyHomeMcFly]

We have found a house in a great location which would be a perfect family home. We narrowly missed out on one further down the road that was already "done" whereas this one needs modernisation... although not much structural, I think.

Sooo I have a second viewing booked for Wed but we are already in competition with someone else who has put in an offer. I had hoped to look round it with a builder but we prob don't have time to organise that and I obviously need to get an offer in sharpish. So please tell me what to look for on Wed.

The house is in a state - ie very cluttered and bit dilapidated in terms of carpets etc - but how can I be Beeny-esque and see what is good / bad at an underlying level??

Cheers MNers

Well.....the aggressive thing to do is to put in an offer that you think will secure the deal, THEN get a builder / full structural and renegotiate accordingly. Beware large fibs from agents at the moment, though... Is the other potential buyer in a position to proceed?

Yeah apparently. But as you say, I'm not that sure. Awfully convenient n'est pas. However, it's also basically a good house in a super location - overlooks a park. So I doubt we are the only ones interested, even in this current climate.

Thanks for the advice that's a good idea.

Can you put in an offer subject to survey?

Than make sure you get a full survey done, as well as a gas and electrical survey (they aren't necessarily included in a full survey).

Forgot to say, look for evidence of damp, look at the roof (take binoculars)and don't be afraid to lean against walls and look inside cupboards for wiring, crumbling masonry.

This is what I look for:

1. Outside on brickwork - any evidence of movement - like cracks in bricks etc. Also outside look at gutters - if cast iron, check condition.
2. Roof - what condition does it look as though it's in?
3. Electrics - look at the junction box - is it new or a mix of old and new or just old?
4. Electrics again - look at all the sockets - are they new or old or mixed? How many are there in each room? If only one or two, sign of old system. Are any in skirting boards? Are any electric cables run up / down walls in plastic boxwork?
5. walk to corners of rooms and jump up and down to see how solid floor is - lots of bounce could mean dodgy floorboards / joists.
6. Windows - if wooden, press on windowsill to see if wood is solid or rotten.
7. Look at all walls and ceiling for damp patches - not the end of world if you find some but then loom outside where you saw them to see if you can see what's causing the damp.
8. Doors. Open and shut all doors. if they open and close with ease, good. If a lot stick and won't shut, this could be a sign of movement.
9. Heating system. Look at boiler and rads. Can tell easily if these are newish or ancient.

That's a long list actually.... Even if all these things need doing, if you like the sizes of rooms and the feel of the place, I wouldn't let it put me off. Just good to be aware.

it depends whether you have budget to do it up, even what looks quite cosmetic is a killer if you have to spend every weekend for the next year on it.

Brilliant thank you. I had thought of some of those but not all so thank you. Feel better about all of this now.

hey - sounds exactly like the house we're moving into next week! We like it for its size, location, layout and garden, and are aware that it has to be rewired, recarpetted, re-windowed...everything in fact. and we can't afford it in advance - will have to be tackled month-by-month. but it's the only house that excited us after months of looking so... we had to go for it. fingers crossed for you on wed and us next week!

Good luck for you too

PS Bowie fan GS? Great song...

Open and close the windows even if they are PVC

Run the shower - what is the water pressure like?

Key to it all is take your time looking round, don't feel rushed. Sit on the sofa, look at the view you will have.

If you look out of your windows -look at the neighbours, if they extended their property would it affect your view/privacy in any way (planners seem to be very lenient these days)

Best of luck to you.

oh yes! bowie r us. How'd the viewing go? tell us tell us.

i feel very slapdash when i read all the advice you've been given. we just knew our house was intrinsically the most interesting one we'd seen, and as long as the surveyor didn't condemn it, we wanted it. i've just discovered today that there's a very clever, ancient but working fireplace with a special valve and and ash bucket and so on. so excited.... possibly deluded...

THanks for all the ideas. Second viewing went ok. I didn't get "the feeling" but then I didn't the first time either. But I think that's a reflection of the amount it needs. DS (15mo) however happily toddled off upstairs and tried to climb on one of the beds so that's a good sign.
The one we saw further up the road that had been done up WAS our dream house and so we think this one could be even dreamier (and with a bigger garden).
Now, does anyone know a great builder????