Four Questions To Ask When Viewing A Property

Searching for a new home can be a difficult task. You might see a number you like, and maybe you can’t decide which one is best. Or perhaps you have been searching for a long time and still have not found anything that suits you. One of the problems with searching for houses is that there isn’t always a lot of time to view a house or apartment before you need to make a decision. A viewing might last for 20 minutes, and if lots of people want to see the same property, you might not even have that long. Plus, if you do like a property, it is wise to have a second viewing, which will delay your decision even further. 

 That second viewing can be crucial, though. Making a decision about where you will live for perhaps many years shouldn’t be done in a rush. It is vital that you have a set of questions to ask about the house or apartment when you go back for a second time. Here are some that you might want to ask. 

Is The Roof In Good Repair? 

The roof of a property needs to be in good repair otherwise you could find that water is let in, the property is not secure, and, in the future, it will cost you to repair it. Of course, it can be difficult for a layperson to inspect the roof of a property they don’t even own, but if you are concerned, then you can invite a roofer over to check it out for you. Make sure you choose a reputable roofing company to help you and give you an accurate report so that you can go back to the realtor or owner and explain your misgivings.  

What Do The Cracks Mean?

Big, deep cracks in walls and ceilings might speak to a problem with subsidence, or perhaps to a problem with a later extension or added room, or other building work. Pay special attention to areas around conservatories, outside walls, bay windows, and those extensions we mentioned earlier. Remember, even the smallest cracks can be a problem as they allow pests to enter; if that happens, you’ll need the services of pest control contractors to help you.  

Which Direction? 

You can ask the owner or realtor which way the house faces, or you can take a compass with you and work it out for yourself. In most cases, this won’t really matter, but if you want to know where your yard is facing or where the sun is going to come up (and therefore which rooms might have the sun in the morning – you may need thicker blinds or drapes in those rooms so that the sunrise doesn’t wake you), then it is worth asking about. Although this probably won’t be the reason that you do or don’t buy a property, knowing in advance will mean you can make plans should you need to.  

Why Is It For Sale? 

There might be a perfectly rational reason why the property is for sale; the owner might be downsizing or upsizing. They might want to move closer to work or family. There could have been a relationship breakdown. They might just like the idea of a change of scenery. However, there are other reasons that people choose to sell their homes, and if you can possibly discover what they are, then you will have a better idea of whether or not to make an offer.  

One reason that someone will want to move is that the house is too expensive to upkeep. If that is the case, will it be the same for you? Check out what the energy bills and taxes are going to be before you start to get serious about the place because they can make a big difference to your monthly budget. Another reason could be bad neighbors, so make sure that you drive by the property at various times of the day during the week and weekend to see what kind of noises you can hear or behavior you witness. Finally, is the neighborhood a good one? The house might be fantastic, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good place to live.