The first thing to say about viewing a property is that this is a key information gathering exercise. Treat it seriously and try not to get carried away with emotion.
That is, of course, easier said than done. So many of us walk into a property and immediately see it as our "dream home" that we're in the correct state of mind to concentrate on any particular faults or problems that may be staring us in the face.
There is plenty of information that you can find out about any property before you even arrive for your viewing. For instance, if you are purchasing a home in the UK, have you already looked up which council tax band the property falls under and what the monthly associated costs are?
Once at the property, make sure that you spend as much time as you need asking the estate agent (or property owner) all of the questions that you want answered. If they can't provide answers immediately then make sure that you follow up any concerns after the viewing.
It's vital that the viewing is not hurried. You're about to spend a large amount of money - it's important that you know what you are getting before committing to such a large financial transaction.
Some obvious things to look out for will be how close the property is to local services and amenities? What is the parking situation like? Don't forget that, in the case of houses in towns and cities, there may be parking permit schemes in operation.
Try to find out what the neighbours are like, whether there are good public transport links and how the quality of local schools compare with other areas.
Does the property itself have central heating? Which way does the property face? This last question may seem strange but, if the property has a garden, it may be of particular interest to know at what time of day the sun shines brightest on the outside of your potential purchase.
Ask about how much maintenance the existing owners have carried out on the property and take a look at the general state of repair of the house. If you find that there are some "minor" problems on the interior of the house then it may indicate a larger issue.
The key to viewing a property is to remain vigilant. Make the most of your time and find out as much information as you can. Time spent viewing a property can save you a lot of money in the future.
Keith Barrett has written about property and Winchester estate agents, as well as on investments in general. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.