Our 6 tips for viewing properties
Are you looking to move to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and want to quickly find the ideal place to live? Are you already a resident of Luxembourg and want to rent or buy another property?
Here are our 6 tips for quickly finding the ideal house or apartment for your family. Conduct your search and viewings like a real estate professional!
Prepare your viewings in advance so you don't miss anything
When you're not used to viewing properties, it can be difficult to make sure you don't miss anything! Individuals looking to rent or buy a property don't necessarily think of everything during their viewings.
However, moving house is not something to be improvised. Whether you are buying or renting, you need to make sure that the property you are viewing meets the needs of the whole family.
To do this, it is crucial to determine in advance all the factors that will influence your decision when it comes time to take action.
Beyond aesthetics or even your initial impression, it's important to consider practical, economic, energy, and of course, budgetary aspects.
Prepare your visits in advance so that you don't let a potential "love at first sight" take precedence over criteria that are nevertheless very important.
Stick to your list of criteria when choosing your home
Looking for a home is a serious business. Don't waste your time on unnecessary viewings. To ensure you only view properties that are likely to interest you, make sure they meet all the criteria you defined in advance.
You will have already drawn up a list of the characteristics you are looking for in a property. To avoid getting overwhelmed by your search and viewings, draw up a checklist in advance listing all your criteria.
Rank them in order of importance (you will often have to make concessions). Are these criteria essential or not?
All these factors are important to consider before signing a lease or preliminary sales agreement. However, in the excitement of the search, it is easy to overlook the essentials.
When making an appointment to view a property, make sure that it meets your criteria, at least those that are very important to you. If the property on offer does not meet your criteria, is it worth viewing? Perhaps not.
Be prepared when visiting a potential future home
Visiting a property cannot be improvised. It is necessary to bring a few useful tools with you.
Without a tape measure, how can you know if your family wardrobe will actually fit in that lovely living room? Without photos of the positive and negative points you noticed during your visit, how can you remember your visit and then make an objective decision?
For all these reasons, we recommend that you bring the following with you when you visit:
- a list of your criteria. At the end of the visit, take a look at it. This will allow you to confirm whether or not the property meets your family's needs
- a tape measure (to take all the necessary measurements). Ask for confirmation of the size of the rooms. They may appear larger or smaller than they actually are depending on how they are furnished.
- a camera (or smartphone) to capture images of the property you are viewing. This will allow you to think about it calmly. Before taking photos, don't forget to ask for permission!
- A compass to check the exposure of the main rooms and the terrace. You can download the app on your smartphone.
- Something to take notes with. Certain key information and figures are quickly forgotten once you're standing at the front door.
Find out about the neighborhood atmosphere and amenities
When you move to a new place, you're not just changing houses or apartments. Above all, you're changing neighborhoods.
Of course, the characteristics of the property you're viewing are obviously very important when you visit. However, the atmosphere of the neighborhood in which it is located is also crucial.
The services available and the atmosphere of the neighborhood are of paramount importance when visiting. If you like a property, make sure you also feel comfortable in the neighborhood where it is located. You'll be happier there and, above all, it will be easier to settle in!
Arrive early for your appointment and take a stroll around the streets surrounding the property. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the neighborhood during the visit. You could even ask people in the neighborhood for their opinions.
Come back to the area several times at different times of the day. This will allow you to see how the environment changes throughout the day. You will get a feel for the atmosphere of the neighborhood and see if it meets your expectations, both during the day and at night!
Compare the different neighborhoods in Luxembourg City
Ask the right questions to the owner and real estate agent
Beyond your personal criteria, there are also many things to check during a property viewing. These may vary between a house and an apartment:
- the brightness of the living rooms and bedrooms. This often goes hand in hand with south, southwest, or southeast exposure for morning sun,
- insulation and type of heating. Don't forget to ask for a copy of the energy performance certificate (mandatory and valid for 10 years)
- electrical outlets and electrical panel. Remember to check its age and the compliance of the electrical installation,
- condition of common areas and the amount of service charges if it is a multi-unit building,
- the date of construction of the building. Is there a ten-year warranty?
- The type of heating. Is the boiler checked regularly?
- Humidity levels, especially in basement rooms.
- ..
In addition, don't hesitate to ask why the owners or tenants are leaving the property.
If you are buying, how long has the owner owned the property? This will give you an idea of its added value. It can also give you an indication of the margin for negotiation.
Find out more about the real estate market and asking prices.
Make the most of the property viewing
Finished viewing the property? Have a debriefing with the real estate agent at the end of the visit, regardless of how you feel about the property. What did you like, what did you dislike, what are the deal breakers? This discussion is important so that the agent understands your approach and can help you in your search. Don't hesitate to confirm your property search criteria with them.
Are you ready to make an offer? The real estate agent will be able to tell you whether or not there is room for negotiation on the sale price.
If you haven't had a chance to discuss this beforehand, reassure the real estate agent about your financial capabilities. If you already have a financing plan with a bank, let them know. This will show that you are serious and encourage them to consider you for other more suitable houses or apartments.
In Luxembourg, attractive properties sell very quickly. It is not uncommon to have to make a decision immediately after viewing a property that is for sale or rent . If you like the property, make a formal offer quickly. To avoid being intimidated by this formality, make sure you have all the answers to your questions.
Need more information? Find our complete guide to housing in Luxembourg here.
Found your home? Check out our tips for furnishing it and making your move to Luxembourg easier.
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