What prospective buyers should consider when viewing a property

You've finally been invited for a viewing. You're full of anticipation and can hardly wait. But a viewing isn't just for fun. It's a chance to thoroughly inspect the property. If you discover something isn't right after the purchase, you'll be very upset. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following points during the viewing.

When viewing a property, you shouldn't just check if it suits you. There are concrete points to clarify so you don't buy a pig in a poke.

The preparation

Living space, year of construction, features, condition, and so on – carefully review the property details in the exposé. For example, if you ask questions during the viewing that are already answered in the exposé, the seller might get the impression that you are not genuinely interested in the property.

Instead, consider questions that are important for your decision-making process and that the property listing doesn't answer. Make sure these questions focus on the property itself and not on the seller's personal information. Even if you intend to show genuine interest, it could be misinterpreted.

It can also be worthwhile to check out the property's location beforehand. What is the surrounding area like? Are there supermarkets, doctors, schools, and so on? What are the neighbors like? These are also questions you can ask during the viewing.

The tour

Real estate experts advise bringing a trusted person along to the viewing. Four eyes see more than two. One person might notice something the other forgot.

During the viewing, check whether the property lives up to the promises made in the listing. What is the condition and what are the features of the property? Ask about any defects or damage. Even if these are mentioned in the listing, it can still be advisable to ask again for clarification.

Let a professional guide you

If a professional real estate agent shows you around, you can also ask them how the asking price is calculated. They will explain how they conducted the property valuation. If the property meets your expectations, you should definitely ask for a second viewing and whether you can reserve the property.

Are you looking for support with your property search and purchase? Contact us! We would be happy to advise you.

Notice

For the sake of readability, this text uses the generic masculine form. Female and other gender identities are explicitly included where relevant to the statement.

Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice for any specific case. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your individual situation.

Photo: © Wordliner/Image created with OpenAI's DALL·E.