This article will be helpful when you are viewing a house with the intention to purchase but

can also assist if you are thinking of renting.

01What to look for when viewing a house.

The purchase of a house is one of the most important decisions in life and one must take into account certain aspects.

There are many options when purchasing a property:  Apartments, villas, country houses ...

Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages

For this reason, it is important to keep in mind your specific requirement s and what you are actually looking for when you purchase.

It is also important to think about the future and ask yourself questions about what will be important later on in your life. 

For example,  if you are sufficiently financially stable to purchase this property, if your family is going to increase, if you want to live in a quiet rural area or a more central urban area, if you have or are thinking of keeping pets, if it will be easy to re-sell in a few years  should the need arise etc.

It is recommended that you take notes and photographs of the interiors and exteriors to enable you to compare the various houses you have seen.

There are various points which  should be  taken  into consideration when visiting a house with the intention of purchasing.  

ATime

How much time should you allow and why?

When planning viewings you must allow yourself sufficient time in the house.  It is not a good idea to plan lots of appointments in one day.

Some vendors may try to make a quick sale but do not allow yourself to be pressurized.  It is better to lose an opportunity than to make an offer on a property that you are not totally convinced is correct for you. 

BVisiting hours

What time of the day is most suitable  and why should you visit more than one time?

There is not a bad time of the day to view a house.

To avoid future surprises, it is advisable to walk around the property checking the roofs, the floors, if there are cracks in the walls, if there´s enough clarity inside the house,  the orientation, what the neighbors are like, the electric and gas installations, if there is much traffic ... and if you have time in the evening to check  surrounding area for night time noise .

CView by yourself or take a friend

Do you make the visit alone or accompanied by a friend?

If you are intending to purchase alone it may be best to take a friend to the viewing so that you can have an objective opinion about the property as seen through someone else´s eyes.

02What to look for when viewing a house. - characteristics of the property.

AExteriors

You are not only buying the inside of a house, you also have to think about the exterior.

How is the access to the house if the weather is not good, where is it located and has it space to park?  Also is the roof in good order, are there any broken tiles which might permit water to enter or lift in the wind?

Also check the pool, is there is any movement in the surrounding area, is the tiling good with no tiles missing etc.   You should also check various other things such as the patio or terrace, is there a garage, which way the property faces, does plenty of light enter the house, etc.

BSize

The size of a house is a very important point when purchasing.  There is a constructed area and an usable area. 

Usable area is that which the interior rooms measure.

Constructed area  is the measurement of the actual building.

To be sure the  size is what you have been told you can ask for a "cédula catastral" in the townhall and/or you can see the catastral measurements on the internet by introducing the catastral reference  which appears on the title deed.

If you wish to calculate yourself you can take a tape measure or laser measure to use in each room so that you may calculate the final measurement 

CSpace and distribution

You should also observe during your viewing the distribution of the rooms , and if this gives an attractive living space or,  if not , is it going to be easy to change.

How many square metres has each room and corridor.  Type of windows, if they are PVC, Aluminium, Double glazed, wooden etc.

The type of flooring - there are various: marble , Spanish tiling , ceramic etc

• Marble floors are very resistant but have to be polished.
• Spanish tiled floors are resistant and shiny but also have to be polished
• A ceramic floor is  easy to clean and there are a lot of available colours but if it can be easy to damage.  

Distribution of the kitchen :

The size.  It is important that the size suits your family .  It is always easier to cook in a kitchen that is sufficiently large.  Also you should check the make  of white goods and how old they are.

Kitchen fittings. There are various types: wood, formica , DM boards etc.  One for everyones taste. 

Kitchen tops: formica, wood, granite, marble , stailess steel, Silestone, Dekton etc.

• Wood:  Not recommended. It is very sensitive to water and temperature changes.
• Granite: Recommended, it is expensive but hard wearing.
• Marble : It scratches easily and loses it shine after time but is hardwearing.  
• Stainless steel : It´s one of the most expensive but the most recommended.  Good restaurants usually have this in their kitchens, it does not get stained by water , heat or use of everyday acidic materials.  
• Silestone:  Is stain resistant, hardwearing and easy to clean but extreme temperatures may damage it
• Dekton:  Resistant to all that is of normal occurrence in a kitchen during years of use.

Bathroom distribution: If it has good access, if it has a bath or a shower and if the wc is well positioned.  This is going to be your dream house for all your life so you have to take these points into consideration.

The type of ceiling: if it is concrete ceiling, wooden beams, high or low ...

DHOW HABITABLE IS THE PROPERTY

• Is the general lighting in the house good or is it dark.

Lighting in a house adds comfort and a sense of more space, for this reason it is important to take it into account.  If the interior does not have light you can observe if it is possible to add more by installing more windows or enlarging existing ones.

• Thermal insulation/ acoustics.

Thermal insulation will make a property more energy efficient and avoid problems derived from humidity and transmit the heat from outside to the interior or vice-versa

Acoustic insulation gives more comfort and cuts off exterior noise, for this reason it is important if living in centrally situated areas where there is a lot of traffic. 

• Good ventilation and lighting in bathrooms and kitchen.

Good ventilation maintains an agreeable quality of air in your house, specially in bathrooms and kitchens.  Do ensure that the kitchen has good lighting because this is where you spend a lot of time each day

• Doors and windows.

The quality of interior doors is not as important as the entrance doors and windows.   A secure entrance door gives better security and double glazing or triple glazing are very important  to avoid the loss of heat or coolness thus conserving energy.

• Water circuit, pressure and hot water.

Make sure you know where the water comes from, if it is mains water, community water, irrigation water or a private well.  If it has a water deposit , how many litres does it contain and how the water is supplied.

What do you pay  per cubic metre , and  what is the cost of rubbish disposal and where do you deposit the rubbish.

It is also good to try the electricity, and ask the owner how much kw are in the contract and what is the usual monthly payment.

• The renovations that have previously been made to the property.

Properties that have been recently renovated have an added value as you will not have to invest time or money into the renovations that have already been made thus making an important saving.    Make sure , however , that they are legal. 

• General condition.

Check for any defects in floors, doors, windows, blinds , roof tiles etc. If there is damp coming in, leaks, strange noises or smells.

EInstallations

Take a good look at the installations in the house. 

• Gas.  Type of installation and if complies with existing rules.

If it is bottled gas, propane gas or large gas tank.

• Electricity .   Meter, age of the installation.  Wattage  installation and condition of plugs and switches.   Placement and amount of sockets.

How many thermal and differential magnets it has.  The amps it has.  If the plugs are polar or unipolar and if the keys are  switchable or crossover etc. 

• Telecommunications. Telephone or internet.  Existing system or possibility of installation. 

Ensure there is good cover from the house, what type of contract is in place , who si the providor etc.  

• Climatisation. Hot and cold. Type of system. Maintenance.  

If it is air conditioning  with heating non inversion it will use more electric or if it is with inversion it will use less.

Maintenance and cleaning of the interior filters and if there is gas as if there is not, it will not give out cold air.

Also check if the fire is open or with a cassette, if it has  an extractor.  That the temperature is not more than 4 of 5 degrees lower in winter.

03What should you ask the owner or the real estate agent?

You should ask why the house is being sold and try to find out if there are any important defects. You should ask the following questions: 

How long has it been on the market? How many viewings has it had ? How many previous owners have there been? Is the paperwork in order? Is there electricity and water? Check using the land registry document that it is legal.  What are the neighbours like?

04What should you look for when viewing a house with the intent to purchase.

All the information you can compile will be very helpful because before making and offer for the property you have to take into account all the pros and cons and of course consider the short term expenses if the condition of the property does not match the sales price.  Do not hesitate to ask your estate agent.

These are points we consider to be essential when you are viewing with intention to purchase a country house.  Certainly you will have others of your own.   Have we forgotten something? Are there other important points that you think should be noted ? Let us know and we will publish your suggestion with your name in this article.

And please do not forget to share if you find the article interesting.  When you share good ideas they become even better.