What to Look for When Buying a House: 12 Things to Check Before You Make an Offer
Finding a house you like is the exciting part. Working out whether it’s actually the right home for you takes a little more thought.
It’s easy to be distracted by beautiful furniture and a freshly painted kitchen — or, at the other end of the scale, décor that makes it difficult to see past the current owner’s style. But some of the most important things to look for when buying a house have very little to do with how it looks today.
From the layout and natural light to broadband, water pressure, running costs and even whether your favourite takeaway delivers, here are 12 things worth checking when viewing a house.
1. Look beyond the décor
Try to separate the house from the way the current owners have chosen to decorate it.
Paint colours, wallpaper, curtains, lighting, cushions and furniture can completely change how a room feels — and they’re relatively easy to change.
Instead, pay attention to the things that are harder to change. Does the layout work? Are the rooms the right size? Is there enough natural light? Does the property give you the space you actually need?
Sometimes a house that doesn’t immediately feel like you has far more potential than one that’s simply been styled to your taste.
2. Think about how you would actually live there
Don’t just walk into each room and ask yourself whether you like it. Think about how your everyday life would work in the property.
Where would the coats and shoes go? Is there enough kitchen storage? Is there somewhere to work from home? Where would you dry the washing? Does the layout work for children or pets? Is there enough bathroom space when everyone is getting ready in the morning?
Try mentally walking through a normal day.
The practical details might not be the exciting part of finding a home, but they can make a huge difference once you’re living there.
3. Check the room sizes
Property photographs are great for getting a feel for a home, but they don’t always give you a true sense of scale.
Check the measurements on the floor plan and look at the rooms properly when you visit.
If you already own furniture you’d like to take with you, think about whether it will actually fit — particularly larger pieces such as sofas, dining tables and beds.
And don’t just ask:
“Will my sofa fit?”
Think about whether it will fit where you actually want it without blocking doors, windows or walkways.
4. Pay attention to natural light
Natural light can completely change the way a home looks and feels.
Notice which rooms are naturally bright and which rely more heavily on artificial lighting. Look at where the windows are positioned and, if you can, find out which direction the main rooms and garden face.
Remember that you’re only seeing the property at one particular time of day and time of year.
A room that’s flooded with light during an afternoon viewing may feel very different first thing in the morning — and vice versa.
It matters from an interior design perspective too. Natural light affects how colours appear, where furniture works best and even which rooms you might naturally want to spend the most time in.
One viewing isn’t always enough
If you’re seriously considering a property, I’d recommend trying to view it twice — ideally at different times of day.
Your second viewing will often feel quite different. The initial excitement has settled and you can look more closely at the practical details you might have missed the first time.
A different time of day also gives you a chance to see how the light changes, but importantly, what happens outsidetoo. Is the road busier? Is parking more difficult? Is there school-run traffic or commuter congestion? Does the area feel different in the evening?
5. Don’t underestimate storage
Storage probably isn’t going to be the thing that makes you fall in love with a house, but you’ll notice pretty quickly if there isn’t enough of it.
Look for cupboards, wardrobes, loft space, utility storage and somewhere for all the less attractive things a home needs — vacuum cleaners, ironing boards, suitcases, coats, cleaning products and everything else.
If storage is limited, that doesn’t necessarily mean the property won’t work.
Ask yourself whether better storage could be incorporated into the design. Built-in cabinetry, making use of alcoves or simply choosing furniture more carefully can sometimes completely change how well a room functions.
6. Look beyond the front door
You’re not only choosing the house. You’re choosing its location — and that’s considerably harder to change than the kitchen.
Think about what matters to your everyday life.
That might include:
Your commute
Schools and childcare
Parking
Public transport
Shops and supermarkets
Green spaces
Gyms and leisure facilities
Friends and family
Regular journeys you make
And think beyond the obvious.
Check the broadband
If you work from home, stream regularly, game or simply rely heavily on the internet, check what broadband is actually available at the address.
Don’t assume that because fast broadband is available nearby, the property itself will have access to the same speeds or providers.
And yes, check the takeaways!
This might not make it onto every traditional house-viewing checklist, but your home needs to work for your lifestyle.
If ordering food is part of your normal week, have a look on services such as Just Eat and see which local restaurants actually deliver to the new address.
It might seem like a tiny consideration compared with buying a house, but finding out after you move that your Friday-night favourites are suddenly out of reach isn't ideal.
7. Test the everyday things
When you’re viewing somebody else’s home, it can feel slightly strange to start turning things on — but there are some basic things worth checking.
Turn on the taps and check the water pressure, particularly upstairs. If possible, check the shower too.
Have a look at the heating system and ask about the boiler. Open windows and doors where appropriate and notice whether rooms feel well ventilated.
None of these things necessarily make or break a property, but it’s better to understand them before you move in.
8. Look a little closer
You don’t need to be a building surveyor to take a closer look around the property.
Pay attention around windows, doors and skirting boards for visible cracks or signs of movement. Look out for staining, mould, damp, damaged finishes or areas that appear to have been recently repaired.
And use your other senses too. Does anywhere smell particularly damp or musty?
A crack doesn’t automatically mean there’s a serious structural problem. Properties can develop cracks for lots of reasons, so avoid trying to diagnose the cause yourself.
Instead, make a note of anything that concerns you and raise it. If necessary, it can then be properly investigated by an appropriately qualified professional as part of the buying process.
9. Understand what the home could cost to run
The purchase price isn’t the only number that matters.
Try to build a picture of the regular costs that could come with living in the property, including:
Council Tax
Gas, electricity or oil
Water
Buildings insurance
Service charges or ground rent, where applicable
Additional travel or commuting costs
The property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can also give you useful information about its current energy efficiency and potential improvements.
Check the flood risk too
It’s worth checking whether the property is in an area at risk of flooding.
If it is, don’t only think about the practical implications. Look into buildings insurance before you commit, including whether appropriate cover is available and what it could cost for that particular property.
You don’t necessarily need to know every future bill to the penny before making an offer, but the more you understand, the more realistic your picture of living there becomes.
10. Find out what comes with the property
That gorgeous range cooker or perfectly fitted blinds might look like part of the house — but don’t automatically assume they’ll still be there when you get the keys.
As you progress through the buying process, make sure you understand which fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.
This could include things such as integrated appliances, light fittings, curtains and blinds, garden structures and other items.
If there’s something you’re particularly hoping will stay, ask rather than assume.
11. Think about what you would change
Very few homes are going to be exactly how you’d design them from day one.
As you walk around, try mentally separating the changes you’d make into two groups.
Things that could be relatively easy to change
Paint colours, furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, accessories and styling.
Things that need more thought or investment
Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, room layouts, extensions or structural alterations.
Doing this can help you look beyond what’s currently in front of you and start seeing the potential of the property.
You may realise that the house you initially thought needed lots of work actually just needs a fresh perspective.
Equally, a beautifully decorated property might still need significant changes to make the space work for the way you live.
12. Picture your life there — not theirs
Finally, try to stop viewing the property as somebody else’s home.
Imagine it empty.
Where would your furniture go? Which room would you naturally spend your evenings in? Where would you have your morning coffee? How would you use the garden? Would everyone have the space they need?
And most importantly: can you see yourself living there?
You don’t need to fall in love with somebody else’s version of the house.
You need to be able to see the potential for yours.
Found the home but can’t quite see the potential?
Sometimes the right home doesn’t look exactly how you’d like it to on day one.
Whether a room needs a simple refresh, a complete rethink or you’re looking at several spaces across a new home, Hannah Miller Homes can help you turn your ideas into a home that feels like you.