Easily one of the most stressful and pivotal aspects of any relocation is finding the right property. So many important decisions hinge on choosing the perfect home. Do you select the school or the home first? How close is the property to your workplace? Will the location enhance your family’s quality of life? Are there parks, cafes, and amenities nearby for those all-important weekend escapes? What are the neighbors like, and is the area safe for your family? These are just a few of the key factors to consider, and they can quickly turn into a headache, especially when you’re balancing the complexities of an international move.
At Whereshome, we understand the pressure—you’re not just finding a house, you’re laying the foundation for your new life. Having been through it ourselves, we know exactly how overwhelming it can be. That's why we’ve created this short guide on the top 5 tips to focus on when viewing a property, so you can feel confident that you’re making the right decision without overlooking crucial details. Let us help you streamline this essential part of your relocation, making it less stressful and more seamless.
Tip 1. When viewing a property - Do a drive-by, or get a friend to
Estate agents can be creative souls when it comes to selling properties. Is the house located on a noisy road during rush hour? Schedule the viewing on a quiet Sunday morning. Unsavory neighbors? Hold viewings when they’re conveniently at work. The reality is that the best way to get a genuine feel for the area you’re moving to—and to safeguard against any ‘creative marketing’ during the viewing—is to visit the property multiple times, if possible. If you're relocating internationally and can’t make it yourself, having a trusted friend drive by can be a lifesaver.
For those moving with young children, it’s essential to consider the neighborhood's demographics. A street filled with either OAPs (older adults) or students might not be ideal for a family environment. These subtle factors are difficult to pick up on during a single viewing, especially if you’re focused on the property itself. Additionally, open houses with other prospective buyers can feel rushed, leaving little time to assess the surroundings. That’s why, if you can, spending some time in the area beforehand is invaluable for making an informed decision.
At Whereshome, we understand the challenges of scouting a neighborhood remotely or under time pressure. That’s why we offer expert guidance and local insights, ensuring you’re fully informed before making your decision. Let us take the stress out of the process and help you find the right home and the right area for your family.
Tip 2. When viewing a Property - Keep an eye on rush hour
Our founder, Nadine recently spoke about this over on the WheresHome Instagram. Nadine and her family are relocating from Dubai back to the UK and recently have been virtually viewing properties, one in particular seemed perfect until Nadine started watching Google Maps during the school run and rush hour. Suddenly a 10-minute drive to her boy’s new school became 45 minutes, making the property untenable. It’s a hugely important thing to note, particularly if you’re going to be moving in to a city. But even in rural areas you can be surprised how traffic can build up through villages during rush hour. There’s nothing worse than moving to an idyllic countryside village only to find that it becomes a noisy, high-speed, through road twice a day.
Tip 3. When viewing a Property - Try to speak to the current tenant or a neighbour
This is a cheeky one and not always possible, but if you can make it happen it’s more than worth it. There’s no better way of finding out the local tea than by asking those who live there. Property owners and estate agents are unlikely to be quite so forthcoming on any noisy neighbours or traffic issues, or at best they may be creative with their description of the area. If you can throw a hello to the tenant or a neighbour on your viewing and ask how they find living at the property, you might find a knowing look or well-crafted reply can tell you everything you need to know.
Tip 4. When viewing. a PropertyStorage, storage, storage!
When relocating, we all try our best to purge as many of our belongings as we can! But even with the best will in the world, family life invariably requires a great deal of ‘stuff’. If you’re purchasing a character property this is something to think about as awkward room shapes and planning rules could make it difficult to make your property more practical, and adding a garage isn’t always so simple as with a modern home. But storage is a particularly key concern if you are renting. For one, you aren’t likely to have the perfect shaped furniture for your property to start with and may understandably be reluctant to purchase all new furniture for a short-term prospect. As such, it can be tricky to have your rooms looking as you would like. Storage then becomes key – a good sized loft, basement or garage can be super helpful but even within the property itself, having somewhere to house important bits of artwork or sentimental pieces can be hugely beneficial – let alone the storage required for day to day life. It’s certainly something to think about, a built-in wardrobe in the bedrooms and under-stairs cupboards can make all the difference to how you experience a property. Whilst renting may be short term for you, you don’t want to be stumbling over storage boxes for your entire tenancy.
Tip 5. When viewing a Property - Keep an eye on condition
In this super competitive market, it’s really easy to overlook the smaller details of a property when the overall picture suits. If you’re purchasing a property, general wear and tear shouldn’t be the end of the world but it does need considering. If every wall, skirting, doorframe needs repainting what does that maybe suggest about the condition of the bathroom or kitchen? Possibly not deal breakers, but certainly bares thinking about when it comes to your offer. If you’re renting, is the condition something you can live with? Look out for cracks, watermarks, scuffed walls and dodgy door frames. Structural concerns might not be your long-term issue, but it can suggest the way in which the landlord has cared for the property and their previous tenants. It might be that the landlord is planning a full re-fresh prior to you starting the tenancy - but these are all things that need mentioning and can really affect your day to day enjoyment of your home.
Whereshome is more than just a relocation service—we are your trusted partner throughout your move. Our high-touch, bespoke solutions ensure that no aspect of your relocation is overlooked. From the moment you begin your journey until you’re fully settled, we provide personal, hands-on support every step of the way. Get in touch today with one of our experts to create a relocation experience designed just for you.