When you purchase a home, it is a significant investment that’s why it’s vital to recognize any indications of trouble before you sign a contract — which is where our house viewing checklist comes in.
Created to assist you in identifying any potential issues a house could be hiding from you as well as demonstrating how to pick up on the advantages of a home’s features that other viewers may not have noticed, our houses for sale Burnley viewing checklist will give you all the information you require to ensure that when you put in an offer for your ideal home, you’ll be confident about the decision you make.
If you do go onto purchase the property, we’d strongly recommend that you obtain a building survey before making a major investment. This is especially important in the case of an investment project for renovation, or a period house.
1. What is the Overall Condition of the House?
First things first. Before you even step into the premises take a step back and look over it for any issues that could be there.
We’ll be in more details about this, there are a few simple tests you can conduct first when you visit the property on your own:
Are there any huge apparent cracks or cracks in the render or brickwork?
Does the roof look in good shape?
Are the windows level and the glass are they in the right place?
Are there any signs of damp, such as tide marks or peeled paints on the walls?
Is the chimney straight?
Are the rainwater fixtures in good working order? Are they damaged or missing?
A building survey can aid you in determining if cracks, for instance, are anything to be concerned regarding, if you decide to purchase the house. Remember that an architectural survey is distinct from a mortgage valuation survey and is designed to give an overall assessment of the condition of the property.
2. Are you in a Great Area?
It’s a test that you can perform prior to look at the property. Presumably you will already recognize the general location a house is located prior to viewing it. However, take some time to check out local schools and amenities, transport links and other such.
Additionally, take a look at nearby properties and if you’re considering an extension or any modifications that require permission from the planner, it could be useful to research what’s been done to houses nearby in order to get an idea of what local planners are willing to allow.
“It’s important to also check the price of properties sold in the surrounding area. If you’re planning for major renovations or an extension, will the price of the project, combined with the price you pay for the property will exceed the maximum value for the area or street?” starts Claire Lloyd, Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating.
“If this is going to be your “forever home” and you’re planning to stay there forever, this might not have any significance to you. If, however, you’re planning to sell the property sometime in the future then you’ll want to ensure that the purchase helps you step up on the ladder to property ownership and not put you in negative equity.”
3. The Planning History Like?
This leads us nicely to the planning history. A quick search on the section on planning on your local council website will bring up every planning application made to the property and their outcomes.
This is helpful when the house, in its current condition may be too small for you , and you’d have to build an extension in order to fulfil your requirements, however many requests for extension have so far been turned down it might not be the ideal property for you.
4. Is There Scope to extend?
Planning permission aside, is the house actually feasible for an extension? There is enough space around the property for an extension, or is it already expanded to its limits?
If you have space within the garden to extend into, would this mean you have an entire home and not a garden?
It’s a good idea to present the layout of the house to the architect or designerThey are likely to have the ability to think out of the box and come up with ideas that you would not have considered.
If you’re thinking of the extension, it’s a good idea to carry an investigation of drainage prior to when you buy the property it can help you determine the location of the drains, which may have implications regarding the location and how you can build.
“A drainage survey can allow you to determine if there are any current issues that require attention (such as damaged drainage pipes or drains that aren’t properly connected),” says Homebuilding and Renovating’s Editor Claire Lloyd.
“Some issues are relatively inexpensive to put right, while others can cost thousands of dollars- and should ideally be reflected in the price you pay for the property.”
5. Is There Off Road Parking?
Although not everyone is convinced of the need for off-road parking, it really is so useful — particularly for families with young children or pets.
Take a look at the parking location for visitors in the event that they decide to stay. If you’re planning on getting work done, you should be thinking about where you could put a dumpster or big deliveries.
Even if there is no off-road parking at present Is there a chance to make a new driveway? And make an application to the local council to construct an unfinished kerb?
6. What Condition Is the Roof in?
This is an extremely important test since repairing a roof can be an expensive business.
Externally, evidence of roof damage can be seen in broken, missing or slipped tiles and damaged or deteriorated flashings. Also, look for crumbling or missing edges on the verges as well as the insufficient amount of beneathfelt.
In the interior, when you are assessing a house for renovation It is important to look for signs of leaks as they can indicate the roof structure having somehow been damaged.
The extent of the damage and the long it has been in this condition will determine the amount it will cost to put the right thing in place. Although replacing a few roofing tiles won’t cost a fortune (a couple of hundred pounds would pay for it), extensive damage could mean the whole roof covering must be removed and replaced , a task which will run well into the PS1,000s.
If the roof has collapsed into the rooms below , you’ll also have to factor in costs for replacement ceilings, too.
7. Are the bricks in good In Good
As you continue to check the exterior, be on the look for any signs of damage to brickwork.
A crumbling or missing mortar inside the joints could require replacement. While you’re there, examine the chimney- does it look stable or is it on an angle?
“Is the chimney pot or the flaunching (the mortar upon which the chimney pot is placed) cracked? If so, this could be causing an issue with damp. Both are usually straightforward to put right, depending on how accessible the chimney is. But, these should be jobs you consider when planning your renovation,” says Homebuilding & Renovating’s Editor Claire Lloyd.
If the home has been rendered by cracks, you should check for themMinor cracks are typically easily fixed, while larger cracks, which are more dangerous, might indicate structural displacement.
8. How Was the House Constructed?
Examining the method of construction used to construct the home is helpful for several reasons.
In the first place, if your house was built using solid walls and traditional materials such as lime render, then you will require air-tight materials to make repairs to prevent condensation or damp issues.
Solid walls are also more difficult for insulation than cavities walls (more typical in homes built following WWII).
It is important to determine the type of foundations the house is also. Many old homes were constructed without any foundations and this could present issues in the case of extending the house or adding any more floors.
In addition, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage for a home that is constructed of ‘non-standard construction’. This is often flagged in the details of the estate agent asking for cash only.
9. Are Windows and Doors Need Replacing?
Inspect windows, doors and other external joinery details like fascia boards for indications of rot or damage.
Smaller portions of timber that have rotted can often be replaced and window repairs are definitely an option that is more suitable than replacement. However, if windows are beyond repair, it really does pay to replace them on a comparable basis to ensure that the appearance of the house won’t be damaged.
If the doors and windows were at one point been taken down and replaced by unattractive ones You might want to think about the expense for replacing them with modern versions of the originals.
10. Are There Signs of Damp?
When you are inside Be sure to look for signs of damp. Some indicators of damp are:
A “fusty” damp smell
Mould and damp patches appear on the walls
White salt deposits have been found on the brickwork
Crumbling plaster on walls and ceilings
Paint and peeling wallpaper
Dry or wet it will rot
It is vital to know that most old houses do typically have damp issues and they are usually able to be resolved.
11. Has There Been An Structural Movement?
This is a big one. Though structural instability and subsidence aren’t always a cause for concern it is important to understand what you are likely to face before purchasing the house.
In the event of a house inspection take note of the following:
Cracks in windows and doors
Cracks that extend through multiple bricks (as in contrast to stress cracks in plaster or a single bricks)
Lintels that collapse
Doors and windows that are securing themselves to their frames
Floors that are not even or damaged
If you suspect subsidence it is crucial to call an expert to assess the propertythey’ll be able to provide you with advice on the seriousness of the issue and if costly solutions or underpinning is likely to be required.
12. Do you think a Rewire is required?
Wiring a house can cost about PS3,000 for a 3 bedroom terraced house so it is crucial to verify whether or not this job could be in the plans on the house you’re taking a look at.
A worn-out fuse box old-fashioned light switches, fabric-coated electrical flex, and round pin plugs are just a few of the things that are a giveaway.
13. Will a New Heating System be required?
Providing the house in question is equipped with a central heating system (some historic properties in need of renovation do not) Check whether it’s in need updating or replacing.
A lack of radiators and the presence of storage heaters or electric heaters is a clear indication that there isn’t any central heating. Even if you have an heating system, be sure to determine whether the boiler is old — you may well require a new one.
Inefficient, old radiators could require updating, so it’s worth putting aside money for replacing the radiator.
14. What’s the Loft Like?
Be sure to check out the loft. Even if you’re not planning to convert your loft the state it is in is important.
Questions to ask, include: Will it provide sufficient storage? Is it well-insulated? Are there secure access points?
If the house does not have a loft, what many storage spaces are available elsewhere on the property? Maybe there’s an outbuilding built for a specific purpose or garage? Don’t underestimate the quantity of storage space you could require.
15. Are there large Trees in the vicinity?
Although trees can be lovely in the garden, take a minute to check whether any of them could cause issues in the near future. Could they block the light source, for example?Large trees in close proximity may have a structural impact on your home.
If you are planning to build an extension on your property that may mean that the nearby tree needs to be removed, verify there are no Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) in place that could hinder you from completing the work.
16. Are they livable?
In the end, while it’s easy to be all gorgeous about properties that are in need of modernisation Ask yourself if it is feasible to stay in the house when work is being done.
If it is cold and you’re shivering in a room without heat or water, or surrounded by construction sites and construction work, you may regret your decision to set up camp.
If your home isn’t habitable, it is important to decide where you will stay while construction progresses and include costs in this.
