10 HOUSE VIEWING TIPS WHEN LOOKING FOR BUY TO LET PROPERTIES
10 HOUSE VIEWING TIPS WHEN LOOKING FOR BUY TO LET PROPERTIES. You’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed when it comes to property investing. There’s nothing worse than getting started and then realizing how much work is involved in finding the right properties! So, we’ve put together these helpful tips for doing house viewings – they’ll help take away some of your stress so you can make offers on future buy-to-let projects easily
A lot goes into deciding which investment opportunity will be best suited to meeting one’s needs; but without preparation, there cannot possibly succeed as planned…
List of viewing tips
- Google Earth: Use Street View to get familiar with the external layout of the property. You will get an idea of the condition street and surrounding area. You’ll be able to work out which direction the property faces
- Get there early: You may be able to chat to a neighbour to ask questions about the area, potentially finding out about any anti-social behaviour going on.
- Check for dampness: If there’s a mouldy smell that is normal the first sign but also check for flaking paint, wallpaper that might be peeling from the walls and water stains on wall and ceiling
- Walk the perimeter of the rooms: All timber floors should feel solid underfoot. The wall around the edge with a little bounce in your step. Any movement could indicate rotten floorboards and joists.
- Window: Check the condition of the window. Ideally, all windows should be double glazed. Check the glazing, if the glass is misty the seal on the double-glazed panel could have failed. A new glass unit will be required.
- Electrics: Look at the fuse board: Firstly, the old fuse board will have ceramic style fuses (more than likely rewire required). A newer fuse board will have RCDs.
Old style fuse board
- Plumbing: Does the property have a modern combi boiler or back boiler (behind the fire). Even if it has a combi boiler, you should check the condition. Because changing an old combi boiler for a new more efficient one will be cheaper and easier than changing the full system from a back boiler to a combi.
- Local amenities: Check for good transport links and for good schools
- Roof: Try and work out the age of the roof. Look for any miss placed or slipped tiles. Leaking gutters will need replacing (Could be the cause of any damp problem).
- Room Sizes: Take a tape measure to ensure furniture can fit into the rooms.
Feeling Confident?
Hopefully, these house viewing tips help you to understand what to look for when viewing a house for the first time.
Google Earth is a great way to get started on your property search. By looking at the external layout of the property, you can get an idea of the condition of the street and surrounding area. You’ll also be able to work out which direction the property faces, which is important for getting an idea of how much sunlight each room will receive. Checking local amenities is key – good transport links and schools are always a bonus. Make sure you take a tape measure with you when viewing properties; it’s always useful to know if furniture will fit into the rooms!
Finally, try and work out the age of the roof – this may give you an indication as to what repairs will need to be carried out
Finally, Feel free to comment below.