The most important part of the house hunting process is a property viewing. This will immediately give you several indicators helping you to decide if you want to live there. Follow these guidelines when visiting a property:
- Visit with a friend or family member - for safety and a second opinion
- Take a camera or digital camera
- Take pen and paper for questions and notes
Visit the property during daylight hours - visibility will be much better, and you can judge how much sunlight the property lets inside. When you arrive, you may wish to ask the following questions:
- Find out the local council rates, and which council you will fall under
- Type of heating in the property, as well as average heating costs during the summer and winter periods
- Cost of water and sewage - often these services are provided by the same company, but not always
- Availability of other services such as broadband, cable TV and Sky
- Other costs on the property, such as ground rent, maintenance, and so on
- What are the neighbors like?
It would also be prudent to ask the owner questions, such as:
- What prompted them to move home
- How long has the property been on the market
Often some online research will also help you decide if the house and surrounding area is right for you and your family.
