在zoopla上看上canary wharf附近一处2 bedrooms flat，周五下午第一次去看房，由于之前没有任何买房和看房的经验所以想请教大家看房时候除了眼缘，房屋朝向采光这类显而易见的问题外还需要着重看哪些因素？并且跟中介沟通哪些问题呢？
Top Tips – things not to forget when viewing a property
Would you spend just 20 minutes viewing a property that is going to be your home for many years? Some buyers do – and live to regret it. Don’t remember the things you should have looked for after you have left
1. Is there damp?
The main giveaway signs are a mouldy smell, flaky plaster, and watermarked walls or ceilings. It sounds obvious, but make sure you look closely near the ceiling and around the skirting boards. Another clue might be if the room has just been repainted – possibly covering any damp
2. Is the building structurally sound?
If the house looks and feels solid and structurally sound you may not need a surveyor at all. Big cracks are what you are looking for – you should expect some hairline cracks. Look especially around where extensions join, end-of-terrace walls, and bay windows, all of which can start to fall or bow away from the rest of the house. If you see major cracks or have any doubts it might be worth getting a surveyor See What sort of survey should I have? – if only for peace of mind. If any walls look like they are seriously bowing consider engaging a structural engineer.
3. How much storage space is there?
Storage space is a valuable but often overlooked asset. Where will you keep your vacuum cleaner, towels, spare linen, and boxes of junk? Is there room for cupboards or shelves to be built in? Especially in newly built houses, storage space can be scarce
4. Which way does the house face?
In winter, during a cloudy day or at night, it is difficult to tell the difference between a north and south facing house or garden – but in summer it can make the difference between a home that is full of light and warmth, and one that is frustratingly dark. Your favourite plants might notice too, and protest by dying. Don’t be shy about taking a compass with you to the viewing – you might have one on your iphone
5. Are the rooms big enough for your needs?
Occasionally, it has been known for sellers to put smaller furniture in rooms to make them seem bigger
6. Have you been fooled by staging?
Cleverly placed mirrors, strategic lighting, delicious smells, cosy fires, and fresh licks of paint are all tricks sellers use to make their home more appealing. Make sure you don’t get fooled.
7. Do the window frames have cracking paint? Is the double-glazing intact?
The state of the external window frames is a great indicator of the state of the house – if people look after those, they are likely to have taken great care of the rest. If you can easily push your finger into wooden window frame, they are usually rotten. If there is condensation between double-glazed window-panes it means that they are faulty
8. How old is the roof?
Replacing roofs is an expensive business, and newer roofs have a life expectancy of only 15-20 years, depending on the materials
Also, if the property has a flat or nearly flat roof, check out the material with which it sealed. Nowadays a membrane is used and is better than asphalt and gravel, which can leave seams and edges unsealed
9. Are there enough power points and what condition are they in?
Dodgy wiring can be dangerous, and rewiring your new home can be an expensive business. Also check out the fuse board – often an indication of the state of the wiring. Does it look old and outdated?
10. Is the plumbing up to scratch?
Run the taps to check the water pressure. Ask if the pipes are insulated, and ensure they are not lead which would have to be replaced. Do the radiators actually work? How old is the boiler? If the hot water tank is situated in the roof it is probably an old one, and may have to be replaced soon
11. Is the property adequately sound-proofed?
If the sellers have the radio or television on ask for it to be turned down to ensure that you can’t hear your neighbours’ every word
12. What’s the attic like?
People often ignore the attic, but it is an important part of the house. How easy is it to access? Is there much storage space? Could it be converted into extra rooms? Is there insulation?
13. What’s the area like?
Are you near a pub or bar or kebab shop that becomes rowdy in the evening?
Can you walk to shops to get a pint of milk, or do you have to drive?
Is it easy to get to public transport?
Are there noisy roads or train tracks nearby?
Are you underneath a flight path?
14. Is there sufficient drainage in the area?
Check the whereabouts and levels of external drains. Are the drains accessible and are they fully functional? Keen gardeners may use lots of extra water which can cause severe structural problems for potential home improvements such as conservatories or patios. If you are concerned about insufficient drainage for a property you wish to buy, then get a structural survey.
And most importantly, does it feel like you could make it your home?
Viewing a property you are thinking of buying
One of the key stages of buying a house is the viewing. However, it is not always easy to know what to look for, what questions to ask and how to make sure you have the full picture.
Viewing a house - be prepared
Before you go to look at a house, try to do as much background research as you can on the property and the area so that you do not waste time seeing something that does not meet your needs:
The house
Things to look for inside the house and questions to ask:
does the property need updating - if so how much will this cost
is the property in a conservation area or a listed building and could this restrict any future alterations
are the rooms big enough for your needs
what is included in the sale - for example land, garage, furniture, fittings
are the views good enough
what is the cost of rates and the average costs of utility bills such as electricity or gas
why are the sellers moving
does the house have full central heating and if so how old is it
how is the water heated
have there been any problems with the boiler and when was it last serviced by a skilled engineer
if there is a loft, has this been insulated and if so how long ago
does the property have cavity wall insulation
has the property been altered in any way and if so are the relevant planning and building control consents available to see
is there any sign of subsidence such as major cracks in the walls or the doors sticking
is there a smell of damp or any other sign such as the walls feeling damp, the wallpaper peeling/paint bubbling, watermarks or mould
do the window frames have cracking paint? (if you can press your finger easily into the wood it’s rotten)
has the room recently been decorated and if so why (a problem might lie underneath)
how much storage space is there
are there enough power points and how old do they look
does it feel like it could be your home
Rates
To find out how much rates you will have to pay, you can use the following Land & Property Services (LPS) links to find the valuation of the property and the actual bill.
Domestic Capital Value List - DFP website
Rates calculator - DFP website(external link)
The location
You should also make sure the location meets your needs. Things to think about include:
nearby main roads, pubs, clubs or restaurants - they can be handy, but also noisy
nearby railway lines or overhead flight paths
the feel of the community - does it seem friendly
the aspect of the house - does it get enough light
is the property well maintained
the age of the property
garden size
the condition of nearby properties
how good or near is the public transport
are the local schools good
are there any known plans for development in the area
what are the local amenities like - such as shops, hospitals, leisure facilities
what is the crime level like in the area
what are the neighbours like, are they noisy
has there ever been a dispute with the neighbours (or anyone living nearby)
成龙大哥duang duang duang太给力了！！！
都考虑清楚，房子已经被人买了。。。。
感觉还是得有取有舍 抓主要矛盾： ）
哈哈，我也想这么说。
楼主啊，你在伦敦买房没经验，对自己负责，当然要仔细考虑好每个方面。不过伦敦房子是狼多肉少，等你都考虑完了，估计黄花菜都凉了。我朋友就是考虑的多，两年才买上，最后还买到一个装修很差的，没办法，最后再也买不起自满意的房了
第一次看房，去看看就好了。你看了1个月之后才知道自己想要什么
两次买房的，都是看到一半突然碰到一个，有一种“就是他了”的感觉，然后就是他了，住进去也是各种如意，感觉人和房子是会互相吸引的
自己住的房子，第一眼看见喜不喜欢很重要。
我买房子主要看地段，在国内就是要交通很方便，离市中心越近越好，房型是不是合理，厨房客厅利用率高不高。在英国就是周围是不是相对安全安静，房子最好不需要动装修。有花园，停车方便。
自己也不是很有米，只能抓自己看重的点来。一百分的房子肯定有，不过我没有相对应的钞票 
如果是买来自己住，考虑多点儿正常的，其实有时候是消息不通畅，以为好像没有房子卖了