Viewing a property that may end up becoming your own can be an exciting endeavour, one filled with imaged designs and new possibilities. However, buyers must temper their eagerness to ensure they do not miss potential flaws within a property. If certain factors are missed, they may find themselves unable to enjoy their new home or even lose money because of it.
To ensure that a buyer does not find themselves in such a situation, here are six of the most essential factors to consider when viewing a potential property.
Moisture Measure
As many residents will know, moisture damage and presence debilitate a property, being both difficult to control and a potential threat to furniture and belongings kept in the home. This risk should make checking for moisture, in the form of damp or condensation, an essential step.
Take time to investigate behind furniture where there is little airflow and be sure to make contact with various walls to ascertain any moisture build-up.
Cracks
Cracks within a home can be incredibly fine, almost hidden, but still lead to considerable infrastructure risk. Both buyers and surveyors should be extremely aware of any potential signs of fissures or cracks since they can be indicative of extremely costly redevelopment costs.
Garden Integrity
Garden spaces hold great appeal, especially as homeowners seek to buy log cabins and summer houses to make their outdoor space an even more useful asset. However, buyers should scrutinise outdoor spaces beyond their immediate appeal, ensuring that there is no risk of flooding or the presence of invasive and damaging plants, such as Japanese knotweed.
Draughts
A primary concern for buyers, especially in a period of rising energy costs, should be the EPC rating and insulation of a home. There are a number of contributing factors that make a home more suitable than others, including the quality of insulation and efficiency of the boiler. However, much of a home’s heat is built on the foundation of its walls and windows. As such, draughts are an important consideration. Buyers would do well to investigate windows and openings to ensure that, once closed, they prevent breezes from passing through.
Roof Tiles
A single cracked tile on a roof can lead to leakage that, in turn, can lead to moisture build-up and long term damage. A buyer cannot perform a casual check of the roof from the ground and ensure it is safe. If it is not possible to investigate more closely, be sure to specific tile checks in a surveyor’s notes, since it could leave a home only one rainfall away from severe leaking.
Local Area
While a buyer might already have a general idea of the local neighbourhood, they would do well to investigate the home at different times of day. Street lights can have an impact on one’s property if they are too close to windows and school periods can make parking and accessibility incredibly frustrating.
Make attempts to visit the property at various hours, even passing by later in the evening, as this will ensure that you get a better understanding of environmental factors that may not be noticed during a brief midday property viewing.
