9 Questions to ask when viewing a property

Buying a house is one of the most exciting things you can do, but it can also be really daunting when you’ve never done it before! Regardless of whether you are planning to start a buy-to-let portfolio or make it your home, knowing which questions to ask can be the difference between finding what you want, or needing to spend more money later. Here are some of the top questions we recommend you to ask to make sure you’re investing in what you want.

How long has the house been up for sale?

This can often tell you a lot about a property, and not just there are underlying issues. If the property has been on the market for a long time, there could be a number of reasons. It could be that it needs more work to bring it back to life but equally, it could be that the right buyer hasn’t come along because of the housing market. If the answer is “quite a while” it might be worth digging further into why the agent thinks this might be.

How long have the sellers lived in the property?

Although not guaranteed to determine if the house has flaws, the length of time the sellers have been in the property can be an indication of issues. Although there may also be a perfectly valid reason such as the property being ‘flipped’ by the current owner, if they haven’t been there long it could be a sign of problems with neighbours or issues with the property and it’s worth investigating.

How old is the boiler?

Asking how old the boiler is will help you gauge if it is going to be needing replacing soon. As boilers can be expensive, it’s a cost that you are going to likely want to factor in if the boiler is old and will need replacing. You can also ask when the boiler was last serviced and if there were any recommendations from that too. An older boiler also might indicate higher utility bills, as it’s most probably going to be much less efficient than modern boilers.

Can I turn on the taps?

Having a nice hot shower after a long day of work can really pep up your mood. If the water pressure is poor, it could indicate an issue with the plumbing and could be something you might want a plumber to investigate, to ensure it’s fixable.

What are the neighbours like?

This can be a question if you happen to see the owners. You might even be able to talk to some neighbours yourself when you’re there for a viewing, it’s always worth getting to know the people who know the area really well.

What will be included in the sale?

The sale of a house could include or not include certain furnishings and fixtures. Although you will get a fittings and contents form through the solicitor's paperwork, this is only provided after you have had an offer accepted. So it’s always good to know if you are going to need to buy an oven and a washing machine before you move in so you can factor in any costs.

Has any recent work been carried out on the property?

This can help you to understand what work you may need to carry out, or what could be redone to the property. It’s also good to understand what work has been recently carried out so that you don’t waste your valuable time or resources going over things that might not need to be done yet.

What is the internet like?

With a lot more people working from home, Internet service can be of utmost importance for some. Ask if there have been any issues or if they had any problems finding a provider to cover the area. Although wifi is getting a lot better, some areas may still be lacking so it’s definitely worth checking.

Is there a chain?

Lastly, finding out if there is a chain for the property will help you to understand a rough timescale for moving. For some, having a large chain will be offputting, whilst others can be more open to renting or finding other accommodations so as not to hold up the sale.

There we have it, 9 golden things to ask at your next property viewing that will help you to purchase your dream home!