Would you spend just 5 minutes viewing a property that is going to be your house for many years? Some buyers do – and live to regret it. Don’t remember the things you should have looked for after you have left.

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When viewing a house for the first time, try and be as impartial to it as possible. Even if it is love at first sight, you want to be able to imagine yourself living in the property, yet still be objective enough to see the house in a realistic light.

If you’re buying a home by yourself, it’s always a wise idea to take someone with you for a second opinion, moral support, or just to share the excitement with you when you find ‘the one’!

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The most basic things that you should be looking for when viewing a property are:

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1. Does it have everything that you want, and really need?

Consider the number of rooms, the kitchen and bathroom facilities, and garden, garage and parking availability.

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2. Rooms

Are the rooms big enough (with storage) to fit your belongings in?

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3. Is the property in good condition?

Look past the decorations, which can be changed – are there any signs of damp, damage or rot inside or outside the property?

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4. Possible renovations

Will the property require any renovations or repairs to get it to the standard you want?

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Make sure you check all of the rooms, including storage areas, but pay special attention to the bathroom and kitchen, which can be more expensive to refit than any other room. If they aren’t to your taste, you’ll need to consider whether you have the budget for replacements.

You should also inspect the exterior of the building, including brickwork, guttering and roof, as well as the garden and garage if there is one. Look closely, as some damage can be disguised or covered up by a coat of paint. When you’re outside, listen out for any noise from the nearby, and this is a good time to consider which direction the property faces – if you’re a sun-lover – you’ll need to check whether or not the house is facing south.

Feeling happy with it? Make sure you view the property more than once. If you think it’s the one for you, return a second time to double-check, and take another person for a different perspective. If you’re seriously interested in the property, engaging a Property Valuer for a valuation would help to identify any potentially expensive issues that you may have missed during your viewing, and may also provide the information you need to negotiate a lower purchase price with the seller.

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What to ask when viewing a house

There’s information that may not be obvious or accessible to you during your viewing, so you may need or wish to ask the estate agent or the seller for additional details. Some of these questions may be…

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5. Related to the sale of the house

Why is the property being sold? How long have the owner held this property? Has it changed hands/tenants frequently and why? Have there been any previous offers? How long has the house been on the market? What is included in the sale and what is not?

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6. Related to the condition of the house

Have any major works taken place recently? How old is the property? How is power and water situation for this house and in this neighbourhood? Have any rooms been recently redecorated or refurbished? How old is the geyser?

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7. Related to the area

What are the neighbours like? How is security in this neighbourhood? Does the seller/landlord have any insight into the neighbourhood? Are there any neighbourhood fees like security fees, etc? What is the traffic like around streets leading to the area or house?

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Some tips on house viewing etiquette

Viewing someone’s house can feel daunting, and it’s hard to know what to say, do and how to behave! Here are some guidelines you can follow to ensure you get the most out of your property viewing, whilst building positive rapport with the estate agent or seller who you may need to negotiate with if you decide to put in an offer.

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1. Be on time

The estate agent may have other viewings planned and you don’t want to leave them waiting.

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2. Don’t bring too many people with you

Sticking with 1-3 per viewing is most ideal.

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3. Offer to remove your shoes when you arrive

This is most advisable if someone lives in the house you are viewing.

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4. Taking pictures

Ask the estate agent or seller if you want to take pictures. Check behind doors or look in cupboards and drawers.

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5. Don’t be critical of the home in front of the seller, or talk about improvements you’d make

You can make notes on your house viewing checklist to consider or discuss these after the viewing.

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6. If you like something in particular about the home, tell them

It gets your relationship off to the right start.

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7. Cancelling viewing appointment

If you need to cancel your viewing, do so as soon as possible. You will help the estate agent or seller to save time. They will understand and appreciate.

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Use this checklist and viewing etiquette to spot the good, bad and expensive before making an offer.