{"id":17053,"date":"2018-06-08T15:32:01","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T15:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/?p=17053"},"modified":"2018-06-08T15:32:01","modified_gmt":"2018-06-08T15:32:01","slug":"help-im-a-young-first-time-buyer-navigating-your-way-through-your-first-property-viewings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/help-im-a-young-first-time-buyer-navigating-your-way-through-your-first-property-viewings\/","title":{"rendered":"HELP! I\u2019m a young, first-time buyer &#8211; Navigating Your Way Through Your First Property Viewings."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- SEO Ultimate Plus (https:\/\/seoultimateplus.com) - Code Inserter module -->\n<script async>(function(s,u,m,o,j,v){j=u.createElement(m);v=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];j.async=1;j.src=o;j.dataset.sumoSiteId='b68b392479b5981b8acf46565e9fe32a0734fc21a1f7c1e60121eaa6ca1a1c64';v.parentNode.insertBefore(j,v)})(window,document,'script','\/\/load.sumo.com\/');<\/script>\n<!-- \/SEO Ultimate Plus -->\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/mascdn.azureedge.net\/cms\/mas-property-viewing-checklist.pdf\">Money Advice Service<\/a>, house buyers usually spend an average of just eight to fifteen minutes viewing a property they\u2019re interested in. Not very long, is it? You\u2019ve probably spent longer than that in the changing room when clothes shopping. And considering you\u2019ll probably live in your first home for at least a few years, it\u2019s wise to spend plenty of time checking it out thoroughly, but if it\u2019s your first home it can be difficult to know what warning signs to look out for when viewing potential properties.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re answering two main questions when you look at a house or flat: can I live here, and do I want to? The answer to the first question depends on whether the house is in a decent state of repair. But buying a home is about much more than how much your energy bills will be or the condition of the windows: it\u2019s about what your daily life there will be like.<\/p>\n<h2>Size matters \u2013 in more ways than one.<\/h2>\n<p>How spacious a property is isn\u2019t the only important thing \u2013 how spacious it <strong>feels<\/strong> is important too. A Victorian or Edwardian building with high ceilings and huge windows will feel more spacious and light than an apartment of the same size with lower ceilings and smaller windows, which can make a property feel quite claustrophobic. Basement flats will never feel really light and airy even on a sunny day and will probably always be cold, too. Consider how <strong>you<\/strong> might fit into the property \u2013 quite literally. If you\u2019re tall, low sloping ceilings and timber beams might look cute at first, but the charm will wear off round about the tenth time that you bang your head on them.<\/p>\n<p>The property will have floor plans which will show the dimensions of each room, so you can work out if your furniture (if you already have furniture) will fit. In new show homes, cunning trick sellers sometimes use is displaying furniture that\u2019s on the small side to maximise the feeling of space. Be aware of this and try to imagine your furniture and possessions in the rooms instead. Don\u2019t be put off by the d\u00e9cor: look past jazzy 70s carpets and lurid wallpaper, which can easily be changed, to the home <strong>you<\/strong> will create.<\/p>\n<h2>A design for life.<\/h2>\n<p>Some people love the spacious feel of a big open-plan living and cooking area; others prefer the kitchen and the lounge to be separate. One person\u2019s cosy studio gives another person cabin fever. Some people don\u2019t like front doors that open directly into the living room or straight onto the street, which can be noisy and diminish your sense of privacy.<\/p>\n<h2>Cupboard love.<\/h2>\n<p>Sure, furniture is widely available to purchase, but built-in storage is really useful as it effectively gives you more space. Modern properties tend to have more of it; in an older property, you might be lucky to get any. Remember that people tend to increase the possessions they have over time and that if your house is already quite small for all your stuff when you move in, it is not going to get bigger to accommodate new clothes, shoes, books, DVDs and furniture. As a wise homeowner once put it: \u201cConsider where you\u2019re going to store your Christmas decorations.\u201d Also, think about who the property might need to accommodate long-term. A one-bedroom flat which is just right for one person can suddenly feel very small if your partner, their DVD collection.<\/p>\n<h2>Stay connected.<\/h2>\n<p>Check the internet connection and mobile phone reception. These days most people will need both these things to be reliable \u2013 many of us rely on the internet for our work. If you\u2019re a frequent user of streaming services such as BBC iPlayer or Netflix, you\u2019ll need a decent broadband speed. Which? says 2Mbps is enough for standard-definition viewing on iPlayer, increasing to 3Mbps for high definition; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/broadband-deals\/article\/what-broadband-speed-do-i-need\">minimum recommended broadband speed<\/a> for Netflix is 1.5 Mbps. If you rely on your mobile phone, you\u2019ll want your reception to be impeccable &#8211; when you\u2019re in the house, check to see whether you have a signal. You can check a property\u2019s broadband speed on the Ofcom website, and refer to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/mobile-phone-providers\/article\/mobile-phone-coverage-map\">this phone coverage map<\/a> to see which networks have the best phone signal.<\/p>\n<h2>Socket to \u2018em!<\/h2>\n<p>An older property may need rewiring to bring it in line with current regulations. If it hasn\u2019t been rewired in the past 30 years, some work at least is likely to be necessary. According to the website householdquotes.co.uk, rewiring a two-bedroom terraced house is likely to cost between \u00a32,000 and \u00a33,000, <a href=\"https:\/\/householdquotes.co.uk\/how-much-does-rewiring-cost\/\">with plastering and decorating costs on top<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Nice and toasty?<\/h2>\n<p>Find out what kind of boiler the property has and how old it is. An old and inefficient boiler means expensive energy bills, a greater likelihood of breakdowns, and general inconvenience if you have to wait a long time for the water to warm up. If the current boiler isn\u2019t functioning properly, repairs could cost you \u00a3200 or more. If you want to replace it altogether, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theecoexperts.co.uk\/how-much-does-a-new-boiler-cost\">cost of a boiler<\/a> can be anywhere from \u00a3650 to \u00a36,000. Ask what fuel the boiler runs on \u2013 gas, oil and electricity all have their advantages and disadvantages &#8211; and whether it provides both heating and hot water. If it\u2019s a gas boiler, make sure it has been serviced in the last 12 months \u2013 ask to see the gas safety certificate.<\/p>\n<h2>Garden of Eden?<\/h2>\n<p>A garden is invaluable if you love being outdoors or have children, and the bigger the better. But if gardening doesn\u2019t appeal to you, consider how you\u2019ll manage the maintenance \u2013 the lawn won\u2019t mow itself and the weeds won\u2019t uproot and leave of their own accord. In blocks of flats the gardens may be communal \u2013 how would you feel about this? Be clear on whether anyone else has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/finance\/property\/advice\/3290362\/A-Z-guide-to-property.html\">access to a supposedly private garden<\/a> \u2013 your neighbours may be allowed to use it to get to their house or it may even be part of a public right of way. Even if it&#8217;s yours and yours alone, what level of privacy does it offer you \u2013 can nosy\u00a0neighbours observe your every move?<\/p>\n<h2>Free gifts?<\/h2>\n<p>The seller may take absolutely everything with them (stories abound of people\u00a0who have even unscrewed the light bulbs), but they may well leave carpets, curtains, the\u00a0cooker and even the white goods. The seller normally has the right to take fittings (items\u00a0which aren\u2019t an integral part of the property) but not fixtures (permanently fitted items), but in\u00a0any case, you should be shown a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/finance\/personalfinance\/money-saving-tips\/11691738\/Can-seller-take-the-cooker-fridge-and-curtains-after-weve-exchanged.html\">list of what\u2019s staying before you exchange contracts.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>It\u2019s my property and I\u2019ll do what I like!<\/h2>\n<p>Not always, unfortunately. You\u2019ll need planning\u00a0permission for things like extensions and conservatories \u2013 and if your new home is in a\u00a0conservation area or is a listed building, even seemingly minor changes like new windows\u00a0might require permission from the council.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/property\/landlord-guide\/letting-a-leasehold-property\/\">Leasehold properties<\/a> (which includes most flats) may well have restrictions on things like pet\u00a0ownership, laying <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fridaysmove.com\/leasehold-conveyancing-advice-wood-flooring\/14991\">wooden flooring<\/a>, having a satellite dish and even hanging washing out of\u00a0the windows. You might be quite far into the buying process before you come across these\u00a0covenants, so if you are buying a leasehold property and, for example, you want to have\u00a0pets, you should ask about any restrictions early on.<\/p>\n<h2>Bring a plus &#8211; one.<\/h2>\n<p>Take someone to viewings with you &#8211; preferably someone who has\u00a0bought or even sold a few properties themselves, as they will have experience of what to\u00a0look for and will probably notice things you don\u2019t. Write down a list of questions that you\u00a0want to ask, take it with you and write down the answers. As well as being invaluable for\u00a0you, it shows the seller and agent you are on the ball. If the estate agent is stumped by\u00a0anything, make sure that they get back to you as soon as possible with the answer. Any\u00a0agent worth their salt should be prepared for all sorts of questions. If you would like to take\u00a0photos on your phone, ask the seller or agent if it\u2019s okay. These can really help when it\u00a0comes to making your mind up after the visit.<\/p>\n<h2>How do you feel about the house?<\/h2>\n<p>This, ultimately, is the question you really have to\u00a0answer. Do you want to live there? A property is like a boyfriend or a girlfriend: there has to be\u00a0a connection. Sometimes you can walk into a place and love it instantly \u2013 it just has that\u00a0feeling about it. Other times, there might be nothing technically wrong with a property, but\u00a0somehow it just doesn\u2019t feel right for you. Always visit a property you like more than once:\u00a0the first visit is with your heart, the second is with your head. And always listen to your\u00a0instinct, whether it\u2019s telling you yes or no: as with everything in life, your instinct is usually\u00a0right.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to the Money Advice Service, house buyers usually spend an average of just eight to fifteen minutes viewing a property they\u2019re interested in. Not very long, is it? You\u2019ve probably spent longer than that in the changing room when<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/help-im-a-young-first-time-buyer-navigating-your-way-through-your-first-property-viewings\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wl_entities_gutenberg":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"wl_entity_type":[602],"modified_by":null,"_wl_alt_label":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","wl:entity_url":"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/post\/help_im_a_young__first-time_buyer_-_navigating_your_way_through_your_first_property_viewings","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17053"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17053"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17053\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17056,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17053\/revisions\/17056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17053"},{"taxonomy":"wl_entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wl_entity_type?post=17053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}