Successful viewing

Searching for a new home is exciting, highly emotive and, if not managed properly, exhausting. Your decisions can easily be influenced by a particular feature of a property without full consideration to other factors that are important to you and other family members in a home. The best way to ensure that you find a property that is right for you is to carefully think about what you and your family need from a home in terms of space, style and location and to apply this when short listing property to view. By communicating this information to your agent you will avoid wasting time viewing properties that are not suitable.

We have compiled a list of questions below for you to consider and to rank from 1-5, 1 being not that important to you and 5 being extremely important. This will allow you to build a profile of your dream property and what factors you can compromise on. It is helpful to ask other family members to do this exercise so that everyone is involved.

We have also provided you with some useful tips for viewing properties.

Click here to download a list of questions

If you have considered the above and used our ranking system to compile a short list of property you should be booking viewings on property that match well with your requirements. When you come to viewing use some of the tips below to make sure the property really is for you.

Viewing Tips

Let the agent guide you through the property and ask about what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.

Try to see past the vendor's choice of decor and furnishings and focus on the space of rooms and layout.

Take measurements of your key furniture items so that you have an idea how they would fit.

If the property is on a main road visit the location at different times to decide whether you are comfortable with the traffic.

Ask about the neighbours. Do they have children and pets? If you like your peace and quiet and six children live next door be prepared for noise in the summer holidays!

Enquire into placements at local schools.

Test out the travel times to work or nearby road links.

If the garden is a key feature for you, ask about what sun it gets through the day.

Ensure certificates are available for any extensions and renovations such as new double glazing, underpinning etc.

Ask about the local tax and insurance premiums or visit www.upmystreet.com via our homepage.

Ask why the current owners are selling.

Speak to the neighbour and ask how they enjoy living in the area and what the special features are.

Look into local development plans and whether they would impact the nearby area.