The less obvious warning signs when viewing a property

Buying a home is one of the biggest commitments you will ever make, so it’s incredibly important to think very carefully before putting an offer in on a property. It’s all too easy to be swayed by the positive aspects without thinking about the drawbacks, so let’s take a look at some of the less obvious warning signs to look out for when buying a property.

Look out for damp and cracks

Make sure you are extra vigilant when it comes to damp. Don’t just assess the obvious places – look around the ceiling and the skirting boards, and try to see if damp has been obscured by paint. It’s also important to be vigilant for small hairline cracks as well as larger ones – a surveyor may be able to spot issues many untrained people cannot.

Is there enough space?

Many people fail to think about storage space and space in general when viewing homes. How much storage do you need? Are you likely to be welcoming any new arrivals into the world in the near future, and is there space for any extra shelves or cupboards you might need? Make sure the rooms are big enough for any existing furniture that you wish to add to the home, or will you need to invest in new items?

Staging and windows

Try not to be tricked by staging. Some new build properties are filled with small furniture to make rooms appear larger, and strategic lighting and carefully-placed mirrors may also be used to draw you in. Check for condensation in the windows and look out for cracking paint on window frames. You also need to verify the age of the roof – if it was added decades ago, you may need to replace it sooner rather than later, and this can be a costly endeavour.