What to Look for During a Property Viewing — A Room by Room Guide

A property viewing typically lasts between 20 and 45 minutes. In that window, you're expected to assess what could be the most significant financial decision of your life. Most buyers spend that time admiring the decor and imagining their furniture in the space — which is completely natural, but not nearly enough. Here's what to actually look for, room by room.

The Exterior and Entrance Before you step inside, take a slow walk around the exterior. Look at the condition of the roof, gutters, and external walls. Are there visible cracks? Signs of damp or water damage? Is the driveway or entrance well maintained? First impressions of a property tell you how the owner has treated it.

The Kitchen Check under the sink for signs of leaks or water damage. Open and close every cabinet and drawer — they should move smoothly without resistance. Test the taps for water pressure and check that the cooker and extractor fan are functional. Look at the condition of the grout between tiles — discolouration often signals moisture problems.

The Bathrooms Press the walls around the bath and shower area gently. Any softness or flex suggests water has penetrated behind the tiles. Check the ceiling for damp patches or mould. Flush the toilet and run the shower simultaneously to test water pressure under load.

The Bedrooms Look at the windows — are there signs of condensation between the panes? Check that all windows open and close properly. Inspect the corners of walls and ceilings for mould, which is a common sign of poor ventilation or insulation issues.

The Living Areas Look up at the ceiling for cracks or water stains. Check that all electrical sockets and light switches are present and flush against the wall. Look at the condition of the floors — particularly around the edges where movement or damp tends to show first.

The Garage and Outdoor Space Test the garage door mechanism if there is one. Check the garden or outdoor space for drainage issues — pools of standing water signal poor drainage that could affect the foundations over time.

Always take photos during your viewing and never be afraid to ask questions. A good agent welcomes scrutiny — it means you're serious.