Viewing checklist: what to check at a cheap rural house abroad

You have found a house on Cheapaco, booked a flight and arranged a viewing. You may only see the house once before you decide, so make that visit count. This checklist covers what to look at, what to ask the broker, and what to have checked by a professional.

Before you go

• Ask the broker for all documents in advance: the condition or inspection report, the energy certificate, the plan, any reports on the septic system, water tests and radon measurements, and the annual costs.
• Read the country rules on who may buy and when you are committed. See the buying guides.
• Check the location on a map: distance to shops, a doctor, a hospital, a school and a train station or airport.
• Plan to view in daylight, and if possible visit the area at a different time of year in your head: what is the road like in snow?

Outside

• Roof: sagging lines, missing or broken tiles, moss, the condition of gutters and chimneys. Ask how old the roof is.
• Walls and foundations: cracks, rot in timber walls near the ground, damp patches on stone walls, plants growing against the house.
• Drainage: does water flow away from the house? Look for standing water.
• Outbuildings: barns are lovely but expensive to repair. Check their roofs too.
• Boundaries and access: is the access road public, private or shared? Who maintains it and clears snow?

Inside

• Smell: a musty smell often means damp or mould. Check cellars, crawl spaces and behind furniture.
• Heating: what system is it (wood stove, heat pump, oil, direct electric)? How old? What did it cost last year? See heating a Nordic house.
• Electrics: old fuse boxes, few sockets and old wiring can mean rewiring.
• Windows and insulation: single glazing and thin walls mean high heating bills.
• Water pressure and hot water: turn on taps and the shower.

Water and sewage

• Is the house on mains water or a private well? Ask for a recent water test (quality and quantity).
• Is it on mains drainage or a private septic system? When was it last inspected or emptied, and does it meet current rules? Upgrades can be expensive.
• In the Nordics, read wells, septic systems and radon.

Connectivity and daily life

• Test mobile coverage in the house with your own phone.
• Ask about fibre or other broadband options.
• Ask about waste collection, postal delivery and, in winter, snow clearance.

Running costs to ask about

Ask for actual annual figures: property tax or charge, insurance, electricity and heating, water and sewage fees, waste collection, chimney sweeping and road association fees. A cheap house with high running costs is not cheap.

Get a professional opinion

For an old house, a building survey by an independent professional is money well spent. In Sweden the buyer has a legal duty to inspect; in France the seller must provide compulsory surveys, but they do not cover everything. If you cannot attend in person, see how to avoid property scams abroad for safe ways to buy remotely.

Ready to look? Browse the map of cheap houses.