A buyer's market

A.� If you are new to a town or an area have a good tramp around to give you an idea of what parts of it you would like to live in, taking account of practical considerations like local services, transport links, leisure facilities, activities for kids and so on. Having done that you can start to hone down your search.

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When it comes to looking at a particular property study the outside. Does it look well cared for If so chances are it will be worth having a look inside.

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What sort of condition are the other houses in the street If there are others that look like they have recently been renovated it could mean it is an up and coming area. However, if there is a general feel of neglect and disrepair it could be that the area is going the other way.

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A.� If you're planning to look at a number of properties in one day, wear a pair of comfortable shoes to make walking less of a strain. Have a decent meal before you go as feeling hungry can reduce your concentration and make you irritable.

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It is often a good idea to take someone you trust with you, whether it be a partner or friend. They may point out positives or negatives that you miss and stop you getting carried away.

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If you've got children it is best to leave them with someone for your first visit to stop them distracting you. There will be time for them to have their input once you've narrowed down the field.

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A.� Always try and see the property for the first time in daylight (if you think you are interested it is a good idea to see it after dark as well).

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Check for signs of damp. Most damp is caused by condensation due to double glazing or lack of ventilation but it may need checking. Hairline cracks in the ceiling aren't usually anything to worry, they are caused by the natural settling of the property, about but large cracks are a cause for concern.

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Consider the lay out of the property, are there any unusually shaped rooms that it will be difficult to fit your furniture into. Have you got lots of electrical equipment, computers, stereos, etc If so make sure there are enough sockets in the rooms.

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If you can get access to the roof check the insulation and turn the light off to make sure you can't see any patches of daylight.

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A.� Try and adopt as friendly an attitude as possible, it could make all the difference if you are on good terms when it comes to negotiating.

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Try and find out practical things such as what the average heating bills are, when the damp course was fitted, how easy is the parking, what's the council tax and is it in a neighbourhood watch area.

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