What should you be considering when looking to a property? Sometimes, it’s easy to get distracted by how a property looks or the colour scheme internally and external. Remember, if the property ticks all the boxes, hideous colour schemes can be painted over.

Follow this checklist and it will help you focus on what’s really important while searching for the right property to buy.

Is it right for you?

Think long term, do you require a spare bedroom, dedicated study or an ensuite? If you are going to have guests stay over occasionally, will everyone be safe or comfortable climbing stairs? Do you own a dog and does it need space to roam?

Be realistic about the features you can’t live without and those that would be bonus to have. A second toilet and bathroom are good to have but an ensuite in every room, you can live without.

Floor plan and room sizes

Make sure to walk around the property to get a sense of how one room flows into the next, do it multiple times and with other people in the house so that you know how it will feel with a crowd.

Check whether the rooms are the right size and shape for your existing furniture and appliances and if not, are you able to afford replacements?

The rooms should also be practical. For example, does the kitchen layout suit your needs? Is there enough space for a dining table? Do you want open plan living and separate areas for parents and kids?

Orientation and natural light

Check where the positing of the property’s windows, and whether trees or nearby buildings will block sunlight from lighting up the insides.

If the lights are on, switch them off to get a feel for the natural light. The inspection may have been timed to maximise natural light. Remember, natural lighting meanings you don’t have to pay to light up your house during the day.

Also, correct building orientation will reduce heating and cooling cost during winter and summer months.

Neighbours

Consider whether neighbours can see directly into the property. It’s also worth checking whether they’ve lodged any development plans with the council.

Walk around the block to see how well other properties in the area are maintained, and listen out for noisy pets and if you happen to see a neighbour, have a chat and find out what their opinion is of the neighbourhood.

Parking

If there’s off-street parking, are there enough spaces for the number of properties on the street? Check local parking restrictions, and how much a resident’s or visitor’s parking permit costs.

Consider how hard it would be to find on-street parking at peak times. If buying into a strata development with common visitor parking, check the number of onsite visitor parking spots available compared to number of units in the block.

Heating, cooling and ventilation

If the property has heating or air conditioning systems, check that they work, how old they are and if they’ve been recently serviced. Keep in mind that high ceilings can make it difficult (and expensive) to heat a room. 

Ventilation is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms, so test the extractor fans for excessive grease in the kitchen range-hood filters.

Water

Check whether the water pressure’s up to scratch, especially in the shower. Also check to see if water pressure in the shower declines when other taps are turned on at the same time.

Can you get the right mix of warmth, and pressure, or will it cost you to change this?

Consider whether the hot water heater is big enough for your family’s needs and how long does it take for the water to warm up after being turned on. And don’t be afraid to flush the toilets.

Storage

Do the built-in wardrobes suit your needs? If there aren’t any, will the bedroom be large enough for a freestanding wardrobe?

If there’s a garage, check that it’s big enough for your car and any other items you’d like to store and if it can accommodate shelving without reducing your ability to park your car in the garage.

Fixtures and fittings

There is no such thing as too many power points, check if there’s enough power points for your family’s needs? Are they in convenient locations? Check behind the furniture, because they may be hidden.

If the house has blinds, curtains, fly screens, light fittings or other fixed features, they should ideally be clean and in good working order. If not, you can try negotiating the sale price down to accommodate for any replacement or repair cost.

Noise

Common walls, floors and ceilings can be a real issue, as can communal areas such as stairwells. Consider how well-insulated the property is, how well-fitted the doors and windows are, and whether there’s carpet or double-glazed windows in sections of the property that’s exposed to high traffic noise.

When it comes to traffic, shared courtyards and nearby schools and sporting grounds are all potential sources of noise.

Garden upkeep

Outdoor maintenance can be hard work. Do you have the time or money to mow the lawn, weed the flower beds or clean the pool? Do you even need a pool?

Security

Will you need to install or repair security doors and window screens? If the property has a shared entrance, check whether the main door locks and if the other owners and tenants generally keep it closed.

Even if you are purchasing for investment purposes consider basing your needs as if you are going to live there as it will make the property more marketable to renters.

Always remember, properties are typically long held assets, decide carefully on what’s important to you, so you can make the best home-buying decision.