How to View a Property Like a Pro: Your Ultimate Inspection Checklist

You’ve found a listing that ticks all the boxes and you’ve booked a viewing. But knowing what to look for when viewing a house is the crucial skill that separates a hopeful buyer from a smart one. This guide will turn you into a pro, ensuring you can look past the staging and identify the real story of the home.

This is the moment where dreams and reality collide. It’s also the moment where it’s incredibly easy to make a purely emotional decision. You walk in, fall in love with the modern kitchen and the sun-drenched living room, and completely miss the subtle red flags that could cost you thousands down the line.

A successful viewing is not a first date; it’s a thorough but friendly property interview. Your goal is to be a detective, looking beyond the staged furniture to uncover the true story of the home. This guide, which expands on Step 5 of our Ultimate Buyer’s Guide, is your complete inspection checklist to ensure you do just that.

Phase 1: The Pre-Viewing Reconnaissance

Your inspection starts before you even arrive.

• The Digital Drive-By: Use Google Maps and its Street View feature to explore the area virtually. What are the neighbouring properties like? Is there a busy road or a cell tower nearby that wasn’t visible in the listing photos?
• The Neighbourhood Scout: As you drive to the viewing, turn off your GPS for the last few blocks. Get a real feel for the neighbourhood. Are the streets clean? Do the homes look well-cared for? Does it feel like a community you want to be a part of?

Phase 2: The Exterior Inspection (The 5-Minute Scan)

Before you step inside, take a moment to assess the property’s first impression.

• The Roof: Look for any obviously loose, cracked, or missing tiles. Check the gutters—are they rusted or pulling away from the house?
• The Walls: Scan the exterior walls for any significant cracks. Hairline cracks are often just plaster and not a major concern, but large, jagged, or “stair-step” cracks could indicate a structural or foundation issue. While these are things you can spot yourself, a professional home inspection can provide a much deeper analysis.
• The Paint & Woodwork: Is the paint peeling? Are the wooden window frames rotting or in need of varnish? These are signs of deferred maintenance that can add up.
• The Garden & Drainage: Does the garden slope towards the house or away from it? Poor drainage can lead to serious damp problems down the line.

Phase 3: The Interior: What to Look For Inside the House

This is where you need to be thorough but respectful. Look up, look down, and look inside.

Here is a detailed checklist of what to look for when viewing a house, from top to bottom.

General Checks for Every Room:

• Ceilings & Cornices: Look for any brown stains or bubbling paint, especially in the corners. This is a classic sign of a water leak from the roof or an upstairs bathroom.
• Floors: Walk the entire room. Do the floors feel level and solid? Look for loose tiles, damaged carpets, or signs of water damage on wooden floors.
• Walls: Look for signs of damp, especially along the bottom of the walls (flaking paint, a musty smell). Be wary of a single, freshly painted wall, as it can sometimes be used to hide problems.
• Windows: Open and close a few windows. Do they operate smoothly? Is there any condensation between the panes of a double-glazed window (a sign of a broken seal)?
• Electrical: Flick light switches on and off. Check for a reasonable number of plug points.

Room-Specific Checks:

• The Kitchen:
  • Open and close all the cupboards and drawers.
  • Check under the sink for any signs of leaks or water damage.
  • Look at the condition of the countertops and the stove.
• The Bathrooms:
  • Turn on the taps to check the water pressure.
  • Flush the toilet.
  • Look for any mould or mildew, especially on the sealant around the bath and shower.
• The Bedrooms:
  • Open the built-in cupboards. Is there enough storage space? Do they smell musty (a sign of damp)?

Phase 4: Ask the Right Questions

Your property practitioner is there to help, but don’t be afraid to ask direct questions.

• “How old is the geyser?” (A geyser’s lifespan is typically 10–15 years; replacing one is a costly surprise).
• “Why are the owners selling?”
• “Have there been any major repairs or renovations done recently?”
• “What are the average monthly costs for rates, water, and electricity?”
• (For Sectional Titles): “Are there any special levies planned? Can we see the latest Body Corporate financials and conduct rules?”

Take This Checklist With You

It’s easy to forget things in the excitement of a viewing. That’s why we’ve created a free, printable PDF version of this ultimate checklist that you can take with you to every property you view.

It’s your secret weapon to ensure you never miss a thing.