Property viewings: what’s the magic number?

Posted on October 28, 2022

Whether you’re renting a property or buying one, viewing before you make that very big decision is essential. With a property viewing, you’ll be able to experience first-hand what life in your new property could be like. Viewings also allow you to establish a clear understanding of the condition of the property as well as the local area.

Viewing before you buy or rent ensures you can identify exactly what it will take – and how much it will cost – to make the place YOUR home, giving you grounds for price renegotiation if necessary. The importance of a property viewing should of course never be underestimated, but how many property viewings is enough to make the right decision about your next property move?

One property viewing is never enough

Even if you’re bowled over by the property you’re viewing, it is always advisable to schedule at least another viewing to scope out the property a little more thoroughly. Viewing at different times of the day is essential for instance and will ensure the property is just as quiet and/or safe come the evening or at night as it is during the day.

Taking along a close friend or relative on subsequent viewings is another must. Your loved one may notice something that you missed the first time around or didn’t see with your rose-tinted glasses on! For those serious about buying or renting the property, more than one viewing provides the opportunity to measure up for furniture and really visualise the space you could be living in in the not so distant future.

Two or three viewings is the magic number

According to this research, just 26% of UK property buyers will purchase after just one viewing. The most popular number of viewings before a sale was two, with 43% of buyers choosing to purchase after seeing the property just twice. 21% of property purchasers bought after three viewings, whilst 11% had to view four times or more before making a commitment.

By viewing a property two or three times, preferably at different times of the day, you can analyse every aspect of a potential purchase or rental and take your next steps with confidence.

It’s not just how many times you view that matters

As well as viewing a property more than once, viewing it for a good amount of time is also important. Allow at least 30 minutes per viewing to get a good look at the property both inside and out, and don’t be afraid to ask for longer.

Ready to start your search? Find properties for sale or to let right here at Hackett Property.