A worthwhile property viewing is about more than checking rooms and features. It is an opportunity to question what you thought you wanted and consider how well a home really fits the way you want to live.
Take away the furniture. What do you see?
Most buyers already know how to look around a property. You don't need an estate agent to tell you whether you like the kitchen or whether the bedrooms are big enough.
A worthwhile viewing is really about something else. We believe it is a matter of working out whether the property fits your lifestyle. Before getting distracted by furniture, decoration or somebody else's taste, start with the things that are difficult or impossible to change.
The location is the obvious one. Is it where you actually want to be? If you want to walk to restaurants, shops or the beach, can you realistically do it? If you don't mind driving, does being further away give you something more important in return? Think about noise too. Stand outside for a moment and listen. A road that looked insignificant on a map may sound very different when you're there.
Then consider the orientation, natural light, outside space, privacy and outlook. These are all things that can have a considerable effect on how you enjoy a home but may be difficult to appreciate from photographs alone.
Think about the layout rather than simply counting bedrooms and bathrooms. Where will you actually spend your time? Is there enough storage? If family or friends visit, does the accommodation work? If you work from home, where will you work? If you have a dog, children or particular hobbies, think about those too.
But also be prepared to question some of the things you thought you wanted. Property searches often start with a fairly definite list of requirements, but viewings are where you discover whether those requirements actually work for you. Something that sounded essential when you started searching may turn out not to matter very much. Equally, a property that doesn't quite match your original list may offer a layout, location or way of living that suits you better.
That doesn't mean abandoning the things that genuinely matter to you. It simply means being open-minded enough to recognise when the reality is different from the idea you started with.
Then look at what you're paying for. A community might have landscaped gardens, several swimming pools, a gym, sauna, concierge service or other facilities. That's useful if you'll use them. If you won't, remember that you'll still contribute towards their upkeep through the community fees.
If you're looking to buy a villa, there are other considerations to take into account. A large garden and swimming pool may be exactly what you want, but somebody has to look after them.
Condition matters, but it needs perspective. An unattractive sofa can disappear tomorrow. A kitchen can be replaced. Walls can sometimes be moved. A poor location can't be renovated. Equally, don't dismiss genuine problems simply because the property has been beautifully presented. If something concerns you about its condition, ask about it and, where appropriate, obtain professional advice. A first viewing doesn't need to become a building survey. Its job is to help you decide whether this is a property worth investigating further.
Perhaps the most useful question during a viewing is simply: Can I actually see myself living here? Not just enjoying it for a week's holiday, or liking how it looks in the photographs, but actually living here day to day.
We always tell buyers that deciding what you don't want is every bit as important as deciding what you do want. It means that you can eliminate properties from your search, and it is a major part of finding the one that you really want.
After many years of showing people homes, we've become quite used to playing devil's advocate. Sometimes that means asking questions that challenge what a buyer thought they wanted, and sometimes it means pointing out something that may not work for them. It isn't about selling a particular property. It's about helping buyers work out what they really need and want from a home, and ultimately what is going to work best for the way they want to live.
If you would like help in your property search, call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
