My first-time buyer viewing checklist

Having purchased my very first home at the end of 2025, I quickly realised just how much goes into the homebuying process; so much of which you simply don’t know until you go through it yourself.

As an aspiring first-time buyer, I want to make sure you feel more confident and better prepared than I did, particularly when it comes to viewing potential homes. So, here’s my first-time buyer viewing checklist to help you know exactly what to look out for and ask when viewing a property:

1. Why I made a viewing checklist

So, you might be wondering why you even need a viewing checklist. And honestly? While viewing properties can be really exciting at first, it can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you’re buying your first home and don’t necessarily know what you should be looking out for or asking.

That’s why I created my own viewing checklist, to help me feel more prepared, stay organised and make sure I didn’t overlook those all important details when viewing a property.

2. The area around the property

First up, was looking at the area around the property. When searching for your first home, it’s very easy to get carried away by the look and feel of a property and quickly forget about the importance of the local area. It’s important to look at things like transport links, nearby amenities and the general feel of the area. This is something I would do for every property I viewed, as it helped me get a proper sense of whether or not I could see myself living in that particular area.

3. The condition of the property

Checking the overall condition of the property is a very important thing to do! When viewing properties, remember to check both inside and outside of the home for things such as signs of damp, cracks, the condition of the windows and doors, flooring and general wear and tear. If nothing seems obvious at first glance, you can also ask the estate agent or owner questions such as how old the property is, whether there have been any recent repairs or renovations, and if there are any known issues with the property. Doing so can help you identify any potential issues that may not be immediately obvious and give you a better idea of whether there could be any unexpected costs further down the line. I had to do this myself as my flat had just been refurbished, so it was a little harder to spot any pressing issues at first!

4. Heating, boiler and water pressure

Now, in addition to checking the condition of the property, it’s super important to also check the heating, boiler and water pressure, as these can all have a big impact on your future household costs.

When viewing the flat I ended up purchasing, I noticed that the water pressure was extremely low and the radiators across the flat were outdated and needed replacing. I’m glad I noticed this during the viewing, as it meant I could get a better idea of what work would need to be done, the potential costs involved, and whether these were costs I could realistically afford.

Remember, if nothing seems obvious at first glance, you can always ask questions about the heating system, when the boiler was last serviced or replaced, and whether there have been any issues with the water pressure. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, this may be your future home after all!

📣 Did you know? An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is valid for 10 years and includes information about a property’s typical energy costs, as well as improvements that could make it more energy efficient. You can look up a property’s EPC online for free before or after your viewing.

5. Storage, layout and day-to-day living

Another important thing I paid attention to was the layout of the property and how it would actually work for me day-to-day. It’s very easy to focus on how a property looks during a 15-20 minute viewing, but try to imagine yourself actually living there. Does the layout work for your lifestyle? Where would your furniture go? Is there enough storage for your clothes and belongings? These are questions I asked myself at each viewing, and I’d encourage you to think about them too. I also found it helpful to think about my typical day working from home and whether the property would make everyday life feel comfortable yet practical.

6. Flats, leasehold and service charges

If you’re looking to buy a flat like I did, it’s also crucial to understand what comes with owning a leasehold property, particularly the ongoing costs. I made sure to ask about the length of the lease, the service charge, ground rent, and what the service charge actually covered. I also asked how much the service charge had increased over the years, as this gave me a better idea of how these costs could change in the future. These are all things worth asking about, as they can have a big impact on the overall cost of owning your home.

7. Bills and running costs

Another thing to add to the checklist is to consider the ongoing cost of actually running the property. It’s easy to focus on the purchase price and mortgage, but there are lots of other costs that come with owning a home. I looked at things like council tax, energy bills, broadband, insurance and even commuting costs, as these can all add up each month. I also wanted to make sure I had a realistic idea of what my total monthly outgoings could look like before making an offer. These are costs I would definitely recommend looking into, as they can make a big difference to whether a property is truly affordable for you.

💡 Top tip: Ask the seller or estate agent what the current household bills are, but don’t assume yours will be the same. Check the property’s council tax band and EPC, and get your own quotes for energy, broadband and home insurance before deciding what you can comfortably afford each month.

8. Questions to ask the estate agent

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s important to ask questions both during and after your viewing. In addition to the above, you can ask the estate agent questions like: why the seller is moving, how long the property has been on the market, and what the neighbours and wider building is like. I found it helpful to write down my questions before each viewing so I didn’t forget anything in the excitement of my viewings. Remember, there really is no such thing as a silly question, so ask as much as you need to feel confident before making an offer!

9. When to book a second viewing

It is often highly recommended to book a second viewing especially if you are seriously considering making an offer. This is something I did, and I’m so glad I did because the second (and third!) viewing gave me the opportunity to look at the property with a much more practical mindset. The excitement of the first viewing had worn off slightly, so I could focus more on the things that really mattered to me, and ask any additional questions I had. I’d also recommend taking someone you trust with you, as they may notice things you completely missed the first time around!

10. Why I chose to get a survey

There are a lot of costs to consider when buying your first home, but one cost I don’t regret is purchasing a survey. This is because it gave me a much better understanding of the condition of the property before I put in an offer. While I had viewed the flat several times, the survey provided a more detailed assessment and highlighted many things I had not noticed myself. If your budget allows, I would also consider getting a survey done on your desired property, particularly if you’re buying an older home or one that may need some extra work done.

11. What I’d do differently next time

Overall, I found the viewing process an extremely exciting one, but it can also get pretty tiresome. It’s important to look beyond how much you love the property and really think about whether it works for you financially and practically. Ask lots of questions, double check the things you may not immediately notice, and don’t be afraid to go back for multiple viewings. Taking your time and doing your research can help you feel much more confident when it comes to making that offer.

💡 Top tip: Don’t confuse your lender’s mortgage valuation with a home survey. A valuation is primarily there to help the lender decide whether the property is suitable security for the mortgage – it isn’t a full check for repairs or maintenance problems.