Top Things Buyers Forget to Check When Viewing a Property

Viewing properties is one of the most exciting parts of buying a home. You get to explore new areas and imagine yourself living in each of the beautifully staged properties. With that in mind, it can be very easy to forget that you need to make a serious assessment of the place before you make an offer. In turn, some of these things can get overlooked. To help you avoid doing this, we’ve come up with the top things that buyers forget to check when viewing a property:

Soundproofing

When viewing a property it’s important to remain focused and not get distracted by everything happening in the viewing (if you’re going for an open house!). Try to pay attention to what you hear, not just what you see. If you turn off all the noise inside the house can you still hear the outside? Or the neighbours?

See how much noise travels from room to room and if possible, try to visit during both the day and the night to ensure there is no difference.

Storage

Storage is something that every buyer (especially in Whistler!) values, but it’s easy to forget when you’re caught up in a property viewing. As you explore each home try to think about the practical use of each space. While beautiful kitchens, bathrooms and large living areas are impressive, if there are minimal storage areas then your property may become cluttered when you move in. Try and look past the beautiful staging!

Make sure there is enough space for things like cleaning supplies, towels, linens, etc. and ask about any hidden storage areas when you view a property.

Dampness

Dampness is not always easy to spot, which is why it often goes unnoticed by buyers. When present in a property, dampness can pose a serious health risk, so be sure to assess the house carefully and ask the agent for their opinion. Of course, this is something you would discover more about in a home inspection if you were really interested in the property.

While you’re there, however, you can also pay attention to: any musty smells, rusting, mold, or discolouration on the walls. A newly painted room could also be a potential sign of a cover-up so be wary!

The Direction the House Faces

This may seem like a minor point, especially if you are looking for a home for the winter in Whistler. However, if the sun hits your house in the wrong places during summer, you could have an unbearably warm (or cold) home!

To avoid this ask your agent or the owner about the sources of sunlight into the house – you don’t want your home to be scorching, but you also don’t want the sunshine to be blocked, making it dark and gloomy.

The Roof

The roof is a very important area to check as repairs can be extremely costly. However, it is also fairly difficult to assess without a proper home inspection. Ask about the materials used as well as how often the roof is maintained and if any work has been done on it. If it has, make sure you find out the date. Depending on the type of place you are looking to buy, this is also something that could be covered by your strata fees but it’s best to know if this large expense is coming up or has been recently dealt with.

If there is access, check the attic ceiling for any signs of leaks, and if you can look at the roof, pay attention to any missing shingles or signs of no maintenance.

For more information on what to look for when buying a property in Whistler, get in touch with one of our agents.