Property viewing checklist: what to look for when viewing a house

Key takeaways

• Prepare before a viewing. Researching a potential property and its local area can help to prepare you before a viewing
• Use a viewing checklist. Bringing along a property viewing checklist can help you assess each home consistently
• Assess all areas of the property. During your viewing, check both external and internal areas for signs of structural issues, damp, or repairs that may need carrying out
• Ask detailed questions. It can be helpful to ask the current owner about work carried out, running costs and the property's history during a viewing
• Look around the area. Good transport links and local amenities can contribute to your living experience

Why property viewings matter

While property listings highlight a home's best features, a viewing can help identify issues that may not be obvious in photos. Viewing a property in person lets you assess factors such as natural light, room size, storage, potential repairs, noise levels in the surrounding environment and the home’s overall condition.

Attending potential new homes with a property viewing checklist can make it easier to assess these aspects objectively and compare different properties during your search.

How to prepare before a property viewing

Before visiting a property, it can be helpful to review the online listing. The floor plan and location can give a good overview of how well the property suits your needs. You may also want to consider the asking price and whether it fits within your budget. Comparing the market value with similar homes in the area can be beneficial, especially if you later decide to submit an offer.

Creating a property viewing checklist

Creating a house viewing checklist beforehand lets you focus on the features that matter most to you. This might include the number of bedrooms, outdoor space, storage, parking arrangements or proximity to transport links. You could even prepare questions for the seller or estate agent in advance to help you gather important information during the viewing.

What to bring to a property viewing

When attending a property viewing, there are a few essentials you may want to bring. This could include:

• Your property viewing checklist
• A copy of the floor plan
• A tape measure
• A smartphone or camera, if photography is permitted
• A list of your priorities and deal-breakers
• Details of your budget and mortgage position

For additional viewing guidance, particularly when viewing new-build homes, check out our new build snagging checklist.

Property viewing checklist: external areas

Check the external areas of a property as thoroughly as the internal areas. The condition of external features can often indicate how well the property has been maintained. Although you may decide to conduct a more thorough property survey later, you can spend some time assessing the outside of the home during your viewing.

When viewing the external areas, you may want to check:

• Whether roof tiles appear damaged or missing
• Signs of leaks in gutters and downpipes
• Brickwork and external walls
• Windows and door frames
• Driveways and parking areas
• Garden condition
• Boundary fences and walls
• Outdoor storage areas

Signs of potential problems outside the property

When assessing a property’s exterior, there are a few warning signs that may indicate potential problems, including:

• Missing or damaged roof tiles
• Sagging rooflines
• Cracks in brickwork
• Uneven paving or pathways
• Water pooling around the property
• Damaged gutters or downpipes

Property viewing checklist: inside the property

It can be easy to view a property's interior at face value. By taking a methodical approach, you can inspect each room carefully, focusing on the structure, layout, storage and condition. Assess the walls, floors, ceilings, and fixtures throughout. Pay attention to natural light, ventilation and general upkeep.

You should also consider how the property would function as your home and whether it would suit your current and future needs. For growing families, this may mean an extra spare room or a home office for remote workers.

What to check in every room

Leave no stone unturned when you view a property. This means checking:

• The overall condition of walls, ceilings and flooring
• Signs of damp, mould or staining on walls and ceilings
• Natural light throughout each room
• Available storage space
• Potential furniture placement and room functionality
• Window and door condition and operation
• Heating and ventilation provisions

Questions to ask when viewing a house

Asking the right questions can give you valuable insight into the property's history and condition. Consider asking:

• How long has the property been on the market?
• Why is the owner selling?
• How long has the current owner lived there?
• Have there been any recent renovations or major repairs?
• What fixtures and fittings are included in the sale?
• Has the property ever experienced flooding?
• Are there any known structural issues?
• Have previous offers been made?
• Is there a chain involved?
• Have any planning applications been approved nearby?
• How old are key features such as the boiler, roof or windows?

Questions about costs and running expenses

Looking at ongoing expenses can often help you assess affordability beyond just the purchase price. There are a few questions you can ask to gain clarity on added home expenses:

• What is the Council Tax band?
• What are the typical energy, water and utility costs?
• Are there service charges or management fees (if applicable)?
• Are there any ground rent obligations (if applicable)?
• Are there any anticipated repair costs?
• Have there been any significant insurance claims?

For questions without an immediate answer, you can follow up with the estate agent or developer after the viewing. However, keep in mind that they may not be able to answer every question.

Common property viewing red flags

When viewing a property, some issues may warrant further investigation before progressing with the purchase. Common red flags to watch out for are:

• Strong musty smells, which could indicate damp
• Water stains, damp patches or mould on walls, ceilings and around windows
• Large structural cracks
• Uneven floors
• Poorly maintained roofing
• Excessive traffic or neighbourhood noise
• Evidence of repeated cosmetic repairs covering larger issues

Not every concern indicates a serious problem, but significant defects may require specialist investigation through various types of property surveys and professional inspections.

How to compare properties after multiple viewings

Viewing several homes in a short period can make it difficult to remember specific details. To help you compare each property effectively after a viewing, you may want to:

• Score key categories like location, condition, layout and value
• Compare maintenance requirements
• Review nearby transport links and local amenities
• Consider future flexibility and resale potential

By gathering your thoughts about each property, you can often create a clearer picture about your needs and wants in a new home.

What to look for in the local area

Your ideal property can feel very different once you consider the surrounding area. This often influences your long-term satisfaction just as much as the home itself. For families, nearby schools may matter as much as distance to work does for professionals. So, when assessing the area, you may want to consider:

• Public transport connections
• Major road access and commute times
• Local schools and education facilities
• Shops, supermarkets and leisure options
• Parks and green spaces
• Healthcare facilities and pharmacies
• Parking availability
• Planned developments nearby

Visiting the area at different times of day, or on different days of the week, may help you better understand local activity and noise levels.

Explore our range of new developments to see what’s available with Barratt Homes.

Disclaimer:

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please speak with a mortgage, financial or legal adviser for more information regarding your specific circumstances.