How to Prepare for Your First Property Viewing

Buying your first home is exciting but the first viewing can also feel a little overwhelming. It’s easy to focus on how a property looks, and forget to check the things that actually affect its value, liveability and long-term cost.

This step-by-step guide will help you approach your first viewing like a pro, so you know exactly what to look for and what to ask.

Step 1: Do Your Homework Before You Go

Start by researching the area. Look at recent sold prices, transport links, school catchment areas and access to local amenities. If the price looks low compared with other homes nearby, ask yourself why.

✔ Check flood risk and broadband availability
✔ Use Street View to explore the surrounding streets
✔ Read the estate agent listing in detail (room sizes, ground rent, tenure type)

Step 2: Arrive Early and Look at the Outside First

Get there a few minutes early so you can walk around the area. When you arrive at the property, spend time looking at the external condition:

• Is the roof in good order (no missing tiles or sagging)?
• Are there any cracks in the walls or signs of damp?
• What condition are the windows and doors in?
• Is the garden overlooked or sloping?

These things don’t have to be deal breakers, but they may affect your budget later.

Step 3: Walk Through Slowly (and Use All Your Senses)

It’s easy to be distracted by modern kitchens or stylish décor, so go room by room and focus on the basics:

Take photos (with the agent’s permission) so you can compare properties later.

Step 4: Ask the Right Questions

This is your chance to gather information that isn’t in the listing. For example:

• How long has the property been on the market?
• Have there been any offers so far?
• Why are the current owners moving?
• Are there any planned developments nearby?
• When were the electrics / boiler last updated?

The answers can help you judge whether there’s room for negotiation — and what costs might arise down the line.

Step 5: Think About the Practicalities

Try to imagine living in the property day to day:

• Where would you park?
• Are the rooms big enough for your furniture?
• Would noise be a problem at certain times of day?
• Where does the sun fall in the garden?

Don’t be afraid to book a second viewing at a different time of day — properties can feel very different in the evening compared to a sunny morning.

Step 6: Take Notes and Compare

Straight after the viewing, write down your first impressions while they’re fresh. Be honest — viewing fatigue can make different homes blur into one.

Create a simple checklist so you can compare key features (condition, size, location, cost, potential work needed) across all the properties you view.

Find a Mortgage

What does a mortgage finder do?

Our free Mortgage Finder tool helps you compare a wide range of deals based on your personal circumstances, including your budget, deposit and property goals. It’s quick, easy and won’t affect your credit score.

How to use a mortgage finder?

1️⃣ Select your purpose (choose from first time buyer, purchase or remortgage)

2️⃣ Choose the mortgage type (residential or buy-to-let) 

3️⃣ Enter the property value, deposit and mortgage term 

4️⃣ Click Search to see a tailored list of available deals

Try it out!

Final Tip

A viewing is your opportunity to look past the fresh paint and really understand the condition, layout and long-term suitability of a property. Take your time, ask questions and don’t feel pressured. The right home should feel like a good fit both emotionally and practically.

If you’d like support with the financial side — such as getting an Decision in Principle or understanding how much you could borrow — we’re here to help.

📞 Call us on 01225 962456
📧 Email us at enquiries@windsorhillmortgages.co.uk