First Time Nerves
advise for first time buyers
Outside the property
When looking at the outside of a property you are viewing, here are some things to consider:
Parking
- If the property offers off-road parking (either on a driveway or in a garage), check the state of this as thoroughly as the house itself.
- If the property doesn’t offer off-road parking, ask if it’s easy to park outside the house - it may be that workers from nearby businesses use the street as a car park.
- Find out if a residents’ parking permit is required and if so, how much it is.
Security
- If a burglar alarm is fitted, find out what service the security company offers and if the alarm is under warranty.
- Check if the property has good door and window locks.
- Ask the seller if the house is part of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
Roof and guttering
- Have a look to see if any slates are obviously missing and what state the chimney is in.
- Ask if there has ever been a problem with the roof leaking.
- When looking at the line of the roof, check to see if it sags as this could be a sign of subsidence.
- Check if the aerial looks in good order (and if a priority, whether it’s possible to receive satellite or Freeview channels).
Walls
- Look for any obvious cracks in the walls, which may be a sign of subsidence.
- Check if the mortar between the bricks is solid and tidy, or soft and crumbling away.
- Stand back and look at the walls to see if any damp patches are evident (particularly under any missing guttering) or if the brickwork has any discolouration.
- Check that the damp proof course is visible above ground level.
Garden
- Confirm with the seller which garden features are included in the sale.
- Ask which direction the garden faces and whether it gets any sun (a south-facing garden is desirable).
- Look to see if there are any trees nearby that could harm the property’s foundations.
- Ask if the garden is prone to flooding in any areas.
Windows
- If the house is double glazed, ask when it was fitted and whether it is still under warranty.
- If the house is not double glazed, carefully check the window frames for signs of rot or mould.
- Check the windows for locks, that they are in good working order and that the keys are available.
