View houses like a pro, even if it’s your first time

Whether you’re buying your first home or thinking of moving, working out how to look for your dream home can be challenging. That’s why we’ve shared some tips on what to look for when choosing properties and how to get the most out of viewing houses.

What’s your borrowing power?

First things first, you need to work out how much you can afford for your new home. Using our affordability calculator, you can find out how much you might be able to afford to borrow towards a house purchase (your mortgage amount). And there are also some other costs you should bear in mind. For example, legal fees, surveys and furnishings. It can add up, so it’s important you budget for all this at the beginning.

Use our home-buying checklist to help you think about what's important to you in your search.

Let the search begin

Once you have a budget plan, you could start the house hunt. There’s no harm in scrolling through properties online even if you aren’t going to buy straight away. But you should think about your three to five absolute must-haves for your new home. This might be a certain number of bedrooms, a garage or off-road parking. When deciding on these ‘deal breakers’, consider your future plans. Is this where you hope to start a family or is it big enough for pets? Defining this should help make it easier to find houses to view.

However, it's important to have an open mind. There may be hidden gems which fit your criteria, but in neighbourhoods you haven’t considered. You might end up realising your new home wasn’t what you were originally looking for.

Location, location, location

Great news - you’ve spotted some potential properties. You just need to conduct some further research before visiting them. Have a good look at the photos, consider how big the floor space is and read the descriptions thoroughly. Make sure the details meet your needs.

Then think about the price. After all, you want to get a good deal. Websites such as zoopla.co.uk can tell you the selling price of houses on the same street and how regularly they come up for sale. This information could help you decide if it’s a fair price and may indicate whether there might be potential issues.

After this, drive through the area - preferably on different days and times. This will help you discover local facilities, like transport links and schools. But also keep an eye out for traffic that could extend your daily commute, sewage works or flight paths (uk.flightaware.com). You can also check online for crime rates (police.uk), broadband speeds (uswitch.com/broadband/postcode_checker or comparethemarket.com/broadband/speed-test) and any planning permissions can be found on local council websites.

Take a look

Now you’re ready for viewings! This is an exciting moment but remain objective. We’d recommend going with a trusted family member or friend - the perfect person to share the fun with and offer a second opinion. You might also want to take photos (if the house is still lived in, check with the agent/seller) so you can compare properties later. And feel free to visit multiple times because it’s surprising what you spot second, third or fourth-time round.

Whilst you’re at the property, spend around 20-30 minutes viewing inside and the same time outside. Don’t feel rushed! Look at the condition of the house carefully because it’s better to discover loose tiles, dodgy light fittings or cracks now rather than later. If there’s a musty smell, sagging floors, peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint, the house might be damp. You should consider at this point if this is something you and your budget can deal with.

But house viewing can be fun too. Imagine your favourite colour on the walls - but bear in mind that updating the kitchen and bathroom may be expensive. Likewise, furniture and storage solutions cost money. And think about making the garden your own. Does it face the right way to catch the sun and are there any trees that could block the light? These are all things which should be considered.

Tell me more

Create a list of questions to ask at every property. Here are a few we’d want to know the answers to.

On the market

• How long has this property been on the market?
• How long have the current owners lived here? And why are they selling?
• Is this property in a chain? (This could dictate how long it takes to complete and if there is a chance the sale could fall through).
• How many viewings have there been? (Many viewings mean greater interest, but no offers could indicate a problem).

The house

• What’s included in the price?
• Are there any serious issues with the property?
• Are there any management fees to pay on the property? For example, a shared garden upkeep fee.
• What type of boiler does the property have? When was it last serviced?
• What are the neighbours like?

Your next move

Viewing houses can be equally exciting and overwhelming - there’s a lot to think about. But with our tips, we hope you feel more prepared.

Once you’ve found a property, get in touch. Our mortgage team are here to help with any questions you might have about mortgages.