Viewing a house: what should you look out for?

The key points in short

A home is a big and costly purchase. You want to make sure you're choosing the right property and that there are no nasty surprises waiting for you. On this page you'll find all the tips on what to look out for during a viewing.

Before you start viewing, it helps to know which homes fit your budget. Calculate how much mortgage you can get, so you only view properties you can actually finance.

1. The viewing

Buying a house is a major purchase. Make sure you're well prepared for the first viewing. Don't just look at the property itself, but also take in the surrounding area. It's a good idea to always bring a camera along. That way you can easily look back at the details after the visit.

Keep in mind that the seller and the estate agent are required to inform the potential buyer as fully as possible about the property. You also have your own duty to investigate certain matters, meaning you're responsible for checking the condition of the property yourself.

2. The neighbourhood

Take a good look at the area before you step inside. What facilities are nearby, how busy is it, is there enough parking, and how does the garden, balcony or roof terrace sit in relation to the sun?

Come back at a different time of day to see what the situation is like then. For your daily commute, it's important to look at how the property is positioned relative to public transport. On Misdaad in Kaart you can check the crime statistics for the area.

You can look up the local taxes online, such as water board charges, waste disposal levies and property taxes. You can also check the local zoning plans to find out, for example, whether the neighbourhood is set to become more family-friendly.

3. The exterior

Always take a close look at the roof. What do the roof tiles look like? Are they heavily discoloured? Are they sitting straight? Are there any cracks in the facade? Are there signs of leakage?

If you strike up a conversation with the neighbours, you can ask about maintenance costs. Compare the facade of the property with those of neighbouring homes. This helps you judge whether it's been well maintained or not.

4. The interior

Windows

For heat and sound insulation, you need to know whether the windows have double glazing. Double glazing provides insulation, keeping warmth in and noise out. The manufacturing year is printed on the bottom edge, between the panes. The older the glass, the more its insulating value deteriorates.

Check the windows carefully for condensation and stains. If condensation appears between the panes, it means the window has what's called a seal failure. This means the window was either poorly installed, is of poor quality, or is very old. This also means the insulating value is low and the window probably needs to be replaced.

Check the window frames for any gaps or cracks. By gently knocking on the frame you can hear whether it sounds hollow anywhere. If it does, the frame is rotten and needs replacing.

Make sure you open every window that can be opened. This way you'll find out whether any windows are sticking. Also check whether anti-burglary measures have been applied.

Heating

How is the house heated? If it has a central heating system, pay close attention to how old it is. Also check whether there's any deferred maintenance. Ask the residents roughly what they pay in heating costs and whether the hot water capacity is sufficient.

If the heating costs are very high, this could be down to poor insulation. In that case, you may be eligible for a subsidy to make the property more energy-efficient.

Electricity

How old is the fuse box? To prevent overloading, it's important to have a residual current device (RCD). The quality of the wiring and the sockets also plays a role here.

Walls

On every floor, the walls should be checked carefully for unusual spots or stains. Pay particular attention to the corners near the ceiling. If you come across a suspicious stain, ask about the cause and feel whether it's damp. Take a photo to be safe. You can then keep track of whether the stain is growing.

Floors

You can check whether the floor is level by placing a pen or pencil on it. Ask straight away whether the flooring is included in the price. You can always choose not to keep it. Ask about floor insulation and whether underfloor heating is installed.

Kitchen

What's the quality of the kitchen and how well has it been maintained? Pay particular attention to the sealant strips: are they dirty (black), coming loose, or nice and white (or clear)? It can happen that built-in appliances are not included in the price, so be sure to ask the seller about this.

A kitchen layout is very much a personal thing. Check whether you like the layout and whether there's enough cupboard space. If you'd prefer a different kitchen, let the seller know. They may be willing to work out a solution with you.

Bedrooms

How many bedrooms are there and how large are they? If you need fewer bedrooms, look into the options for combining rooms. Also consider the heating and ventilation possibilities in the bedrooms.

Bathroom and toilet

Every home needs a washing machine connection. Where people prefer it to be located varies from person to person. Discuss with the seller if you'd prefer the connection in a different spot. There may be options for that.

In a wet room like the bathroom, ventilation is a priority. Check that there are ventilation grilles or an extraction system, and make sure enough windows can be opened. You can tell whether ventilation is adequate by looking for mould. Check the ceiling and the sealant strips for any signs of mould.

Check whether the tile grout still looks good and whether any moisture has gotten behind the tiles. Turn on the shower or bath tap for a moment. Make sure no water is coming out from under the unit or around the taps.

5. House viewing checklist

You can use the following points as a viewing checklist.

Property and surroundings

• Take photos
• Look up information about the area online
• Check maintenance costs for the exterior of the property

For the interior, check:

• Windows: insulation
• Heating: heating costs and hot water supply
• Electricity: RCD, wiring, fuse box and sockets
• Walls: stains
• Floors: level surface, insulation and underfloor heating
• Living room: natural light, view, layout
• Kitchen: sealant strips, built-in appliances and layout
• Bedrooms: number, heating and ventilation options
• Bathroom and toilet: washing machine connection, ventilation, moisture in grout and behind tiles