ᐅ Key Points for a Spontaneous House Viewing by a Non-Expert

Hello everyone, today around midday my wife’s grandmother called and said we could go see a house tomorrow. An acquaintance is moving into a care home and is selling her house. Apparently, there are already a few interested parties, but the lady knew that we are also looking and wants to give us priority.

At the moment, we don’t have any photos or information about the construction year, asking price, or anything similar. I’m currently reading up on what to pay particular attention to during a house viewing. I won’t be able to get a professional inspector on short notice. I think we will definitely bring someone along later if we like the house. Long story short, what should I absolutely find out and what should I watch for? This is our very first house viewing.

Basic details: village (2,000 inhabitants) in the Lake Constance region – so, as you might expect, a very limited supply everywhere.

Thanks for any tips that even a layperson can check.

Grashalm schrieb:

Thanks for every tip that even a layperson can check.

Take 300 photos of every detail. Roof, outside and inside. Bathrooms. Electrical panel or number of wires at ceiling lights. Heating system – age and type. Radiators. Windows – age and type. Basement walls – damp? And so on.

You can then upload the details and get feedback from us.

Otherwise, common sense helps. If something looks damp, it probably is ;-)
If it looks old and worn, it will likely cost money to make it properly livable again. But that also suggests the property hasn’t been properly maintained.
If the floor plan doesn’t suit your needs, either it will be expensive or possibly not even convertible to your wishes.
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Depending on the year of construction, it might also be a case for demolition or a complete renovation. Then, of course, the approach is very different compared to when the house is relatively expensive and only a basic refurbishment is planned.

Thanks a lot, I will get back to the offer with the photos.

This is roughly how we came across our dream property in Berlin.

Take your time to visit everything, and if your gut feeling and the price are right, express your interest. Then, quickly bring in a professional (for example, a knowledgeable craftsman you trust) for a second inspection, and if it is a prefabricated house, also a building biologist.
A second visit should generally not be a problem if you explain your strong interest and the goal of a swift and smooth process.

Good luck!

You should know how many rooms you want and what their purposes will be. And if something isn’t right, there are ways to change it. So, does this house fit your family’s happiness and your daily routines? Could it become your home? However, you can’t economically turn a thatched-roof house into a modernist Bauhaus-style building.

As the previous speaker mentioned: gut feeling is important alongside the numbers. Many houses have a great atmosphere. For example, you might be willing to forgo a dedicated office and just build an office cabinet, or skip having a fireplace if everything else is neat and tidy.

Most important are moisture damage (insulation in the roof structure, basement), mold, woodworm (in the roof), fungus (around windows). Wood paneling under the ceiling, sloping roof. Lift the carpet in places, look inside kitchen cabinets. Check the seals in the bathroom and other sanitary areas: are they incomplete? That can be acceptable, but if there are gaps, unpleasant issues might be found behind them.

Are the windows drafty? Is there enough natural light?

No property sale happens without an energy certificate anymore — does the seller know this?

Ask to see the most recent maintenance invoices and utility consumption records.