The First Time Home Buyer Guide for Property Viewings

For many of us, choosing the house we want to be our first home is one of the most important and expensive decisions we will have to make. That’s before taking into account the hours and hours of research, viewing, and decision-making. When trying to find what’s right for you or your family, there are many factors to consider.

A house is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a home, and home is where the heart is. The journey is often emotion-led, which is why it’s important to feel the right way about the place you’re going to live in.

The best approach is to combine your feelings about the property with a sense of clear, rational judgement. Keep the love and excitement bubbling on the back burner while you follow our first time home buyer guide for property viewing.

Take Your Time

If viewing an older property, take your time to inspect all potential issues. Inevitably, older properties are susceptible to greater damage due to natural wear and tear. Remember to check cupboards, test the taps for the water pressure and plumbing, and take note of any loose or creaking floorboards.

Open property viewings or viewing events are becoming increasingly common. They minimise the inconvenience of individual viewings and generate a sense of urgency in the competition. But don’t be intimidated by this! Being surrounded by competition can be stressful, but try to remain calm and make sure you carry out all the checks you planned to do.

Be thorough during any viewings and ensure you gather all necessary information. That way, you are well placed to make a well informed final decision.

Take Someone with You

Buying your first home can be nerve-wracking. It is likely to be the largest financial decision and the most important one in your life so far. Perhaps consider inviting a family member or friend to a viewing. Someone unaffected by the emotional aspects of buying can provide considered thoughts to any practical issues you may overlook. A balanced perspective can be a calming influence and provide a fresh insight.

Scan the Neighbourhood

Spend a little time to get a feel for the neighbourhood and your potential new surroundings. Familiarise yourself with local amenities, such as shops, schools and leisure facilities. This will help you discover how close and accessible they are. Distances and travelling time has a considerable impact on your day-to-day life, so keep an eye out for close proximity links to public transport and driving routes to your workplace.

There’s no way to know for certain, but there are a few telltale signs that an area is on the up. These include new developments, the presence of cranes, skips and scaffolding, cafes and shops opening up as well as new transport links. If in time you decide to sell the property, improvements to the area will have a positive impact on the overall value of the property.

Pay Attention to the Details

The interior might look like your ideal home, but evaluating the exterior of the property is just as crucial. Check out the roof condition for signs of dampness. Items such as woodwork, pointing, guttering and double glazing need thorough inspection in case of any required maintenance.

These can prove costly to rectify, so take this into account if necessary when negotiating a price. The vendor may have adopted temporary repair work to conceal any defects. Take note any signs of things like dampness, small areas of bubbling, or peeling paintwork.

The presentation of a home upon viewing can impact how you perceive the property. Look with an objective eye and ensure you are aware of any fixtures and fittings that are included in the purchase price. Try to imagine the property empty too.

At Hive Homes, the specification will be detailed in the marketing brochure and showcased in all our gorgeous showhomes. Additionally, all our appliances are brand new!

Confirm What Land Comes with the Property

Confirm what land falls under your ownership as part of your purchase. This consists of garden spaces, driveways and parking spaces. Also, ask whether there are any shared spaces with your potential neighbours. This will alleviate any potential confusion over what you own upon purchase.

We’ll Be Your First Time Home Buyer Guide

When buying a new property with Hive Homes, our offerings come with a 10-year new homes warranty. All our builds are inspected to ensure they comply with rigorous build and energy-efficiency standards. These are helpful pointers to consider when deciding to opt for an old or new home.

At Hive Homes, we pride ourselves on our extensive range of beautiful properties. We’ll allow you all the time you need with our friendly on-site Sales Consultants. You can view our lovely showhomes and also your preferred plot if the build is complete. Plus, our helpful consultants will answer all the questions you may have about the sales process.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist. Alternatively, if you’re looking at our properties but need some help, you can check out our buying with us guide to get the ball rolling! We look forward to helping you find your dream home.