When you’re looking to buy a new house, it can be hard on the viewings to really take things in but there are a few important things to look out for that could be red flags.
Damp – this is a very common one, one of the first things you might notice is a musty smell when you first walk into the property, although this can also be true if a house has been left empty for a while. Look for any mould patches, either in the corners of the ceiling or near the floors. If the house is empty and has any built-in units have a look in those for mould too. Also feel the walls as you can usually feel if there is any moisture there.
Problem neighbours – always ask about what the neighbours are like but also have a look out for signs that they may be funny about noise or parking. Have a listen if you can hear much noise from the property next door.
Infestation problems – keep your eyes peeled for any signs of mouse droppings or any gnawing marks of furniture. Also make sure there aren’t lots of bugs around. You may expect the odd spider but if there are quite a few woodlice about this could indicate a damp problem.
Any of these issues aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker but they may be things that will enable you to negotiate on price.