Buy A 2-Bed London Flat After Just One Viewing
I would always recommend that people have multiple viewings, and viewings at different times of the day (morning and evening where possible!) to get a really good ‘feel’ for the street and the area as a whole.
However, you can buy a 2-bed flat, or house, after just one viewing, if you know what to look at/ for…
So, what are some of the aspects that you need to think about?
External Kerb Appeal/ Communal Areas
If you are buying a 2-bed flat, does the external kerb appeal immediately grab you and what are the communal areas like?
Are the bricks in good condition?
Are there any obvious external cracks?
Are the windows all sealed efficiently?
Are they double glazed or triple glazed?
If you are looking to buy a ‘luxury’ 2-bed flat, what are the communal amenities like, such as the gym, the pool or the media room/ cinema room?
Wiring, Plumbing And Boiler
If you are buying an old flat (essentially, not a new-build!) what is the condition of the wiring/ plumbing in the property.
When was the wiring updated?
Can the agent provide you with a certificate/ proof? When was the plumbing updated?
Can the agent provide you with a certificate/ proof?
When was the boiler updated? Can the agent provide you with a certificate/ proof?
I would only buy a 2-bed flat that did not have these recently updated or in great condition if I was going to buy a home and I was going to do a ‘gut renovation’ - basically strip a property back to the bare bones!
“I would always recommend that people have multiple viewings, and viewings at different times of the day (morning and evening where possible!) to get a really good ‘feel’ for the street and the area as a whole.”
Ceilings And Light
Are the ceilings high or low? If ceiling height is important for you, look for a first-floor or ground-floor flat in a period/ older property or building.
Higher ceilings can simply mean greater levels of light.
Large windows of course play the main role in letting in light, but ceiling height can also play a role! South facing flats and properties often command a premium when levels of light are high up on a wish list for buyers.
Condition Of Kitchen And Bathroom(s)
Are you pleased with the size, layout and style of the kitchen and bathroom(s)? Would you genuinely change nothing?
When renovating and updating a 2-bed property (unless major floorplan/ layout or structural changes are to be changed) the kitchen and bathrooms take up the majority of the renovation budget.
Of course, there is the option to do a smaller renovation, where you can simply paint the kitchen cabinets!
Storage And Wardrobes
Is there good storage space and enough wardrobe space in the 2-bed property?
Can you visualise the storage space in the property being sufficient formal of your belongings?
If not, is there any clear space that can be used?
Floorplan/ Layout
Does it have an open plan layout or a more traditional layout?
Are you pleased with the floorplan of the 2-bed property?
Does it ‘flow’ efficiently?
If you would like to potentially change the floorplan, find out which walls are load bearing.
Could you move the current kitchen to the large living/ dining room and create an extra bathroom?
What other changes could you make?
Hopefully you now feel more comfortable if you are looking to buy a London 2-bed flat after the first viewing.
However, I would always recommend having multiple viewings at different times of the day!