Viewing a property: make a checklist!

Buying a house is a huge commitment, so its important that homeowners-to-be have a checklist ready when viewing a house. Actually organising a viewing is stressful enough, especially when you really like the look of a property, but it's important not to rush into things. A thorough inspection is required before laying down your deposit.

It's highly recommended to view a property more than once. There may be some things that you miss on a first viewing, especially when it comes to potential problems. The excitement of having your first viewing may taint your view of the property thus making you miss some glaring issues. Don't let a spacious front room make you miss a hairline crack in the wall!

However, if you do spot a fault, then use this to your advantage. Negotiate with the seller and you could knock some money off the final price, depending on how costly the fault is. Be wary of the seller - they don't actually have to tell you about any faults with the property and if you move in, you could find yourself dealing with a very expensive problem that you were unaware of when purchasing the property.

Houses on the market within a development, such as houses for sale in Ashtead for example, tend to be very similar but its worth checking out other properties in the area to see if you are receiving the same amenities.

In addition, it's important to bring a tape measure to a viewing. This is very useful if you are looking to move bulky items into the property. Jot down the measurements of your items, like a sofa or a wardrobe, and find out if they will fit in your potential new property.

Buying a new house in exciting for anyone, even a veteran of the industry. However, it's important to not let your interest affect the important parts of a viewing such as general measurements, sounding out faults and finding out whether the property is appropriate for you.