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When visiting a property with the intention of buying it, the illusion or the thought that it is a great buying opportunity can cause you to overlook certain details that are important to review.
What should I look out for when viewing a property?
The most important elements of a property must be carefully reviewed, taking the necessary time to ensure that no detail is overlooked.
The neighborhood or street where the house is located
When viewing a house, you should consider the neighbourhood in which it is located.
It is important to analyze the area, whether there are construction works or a lot of traffic, bars or clubs that may be bothersome at night and nearby services, such as supermarkets or fruit stores.
The best way to do this is to take a walk at different times of the day, so we can get to know first-hand the area where the house is located.
Orientation of the house
This is one of the most important points to take into account as it influences the luminosity, temperature and humidity. Depending on the area you are looking for, one or the other will be better.
In north-facing areas it is colder, so it will be necessary to use the heating for more months of the year.
The west or east orientation makes the sun shine in the house in the morning or in the afternoon.
To know the orientation of the house, it is best to have a plan of it.
The state of the facade and common areas
The façade is the first thing you will see in a home and can give a lot of information about its state of conservation.
If the building is well maintained, it will look good and will not have any noticeable defects. Otherwise, the actual condition would need to be known in order to calculate the price of the possible renovation.
If the apartment or house has common areas, such as gardens or a swimming pool, you should look at the condition they are in and ask about their maintenance costs.
Appliances, taps and sockets
It is better to check if what is in the property works before buying it.
Some things that are best to test during the visit are the faucets, doorknobs and appliances.
Some questions can be asked in this regard, about the plugs or the possible repair of any appliances in the property.
The details of the property correspond to what is offered
You have to carefully analyze whether the information in the advertisement where the property was sold is correct, checking all the elements directly in the house or apartment.
If something is not as offered, the purchase can be rejected or the price of the property can be negotiated, lowering it.
The distribution of housing
One of the aspects most valued by those interested in purchasing a home is its layout.
During a visit to a flat or house, you must check that the rooms are distributed in a way that meets your needs, and that it is comfortable and attractive.
If there is something that does not perfectly meet what we are looking for, we can also analyze whether it is easy or not to change it. At this point, we must take into account the difference between load-bearing walls and partitions.
Roofs, ventilation, lighting and heating
In relation to the climate and comfort of the home, it is essential to observe the ceilings, ventilation, air conditioning, floors and light and gas installations.
All of these elements must be carefully checked because any damage can result in significant expenses later on.
Bad smells
Bad smells usually mean that something is not right.
Patios and dampness on walls and ceilings, window frames and the inside of built-in wardrobes are things that need to be checked in detail.
Noise and insulation of the home
To live peacefully and without disturbances, avoiding or isolating yourself from outside noise is a fundamental factor.
For this reason, it is important to stop and listen for a few minutes to the noises you hear inside your home. These may be noises from neighbouring houses or flats, such as the washing machine or doors, and also from the street.
In this regard, it might also be useful to ask about noises coming from other neighbors in the building or from nearby houses.
If you want to have your visit documented so you can carefully analyze certain things in peace, it is best to take photos and videos of all areas of the house. When deciding to buy a new home, you should pay close attention to certain exterior aspects such as location or orientation. But also to the state of the façade, the electrical and gas installations, the distribution, the air conditioning or the insulation from the outside.
Further information
This article is part of our service Real Estate Lawyer in Spain. Visit this section where you will find all the useful information on this topic, including a complete guide on How to buy a house in Spain.
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