Your aim is not to inspect everything alone. It is to know what needs expert checking.
01Prepare five questions that change the file
Reread the listing and your requirements. Compare nearby sale and rental listings. Write what may explain price differences and what evidence is missing.
Bring a short list. Bedroom numbers are visible. A blocked room, occupancy arrangements or damp marks require questions and often documents.
02Look at the building, not just the décor
The route from street to apartment is already part of the viewing. Observe access, shared areas, maintenance and visible equipment. Do not make a technical diagnosis: note questions for a competent expert.
Ask before taking photographs and respect occupants’ privacy. Pictures grouped by theme are more useful than thirty unlabelled images.
03Leave with a written request
Reassuring words soon fade. After the viewing, send a list of requested documents and clarifications. Distinguish what was received from what was promised.
- Occupancy and any lease.
- Available energy-performance file.
- Planning information to verify.
- Co-ownership documents for an apartment.
- Quotes or evidence of advertised works.
04Debrief the same day
Complete your sheet before the next viewing. Record established facts, assumptions and unknowns. Missing information remains missing; a pleasant viewing does not make it satisfactory.
The downloadable Immoshark checklist is a preparation aid to adapt to the property type and your file.
Gather the documents before drawing conclusions. These educational materials do not replace a professional’s individual assessment.
Open the practical tools
