The viewing: what to look for and what to ask for

Before the appointment

Go twice. Once for the viewing, once on your own. On a weekday at half past seven and on a Saturday evening. You will then hear what the estate agent does not mention: the road, the railway, the bar opposite.

Walk through your daily routine. On foot to the stop, to the shops, to school. Ten minutes on the map is not ten minutes uphill with a pushchair.

In the house

Ask for dates. When were the roof, windows, pipes and wiring, kitchen and bathroom last renewed? The older a building component, the closer its replacement. Factor that into the price.

Look in the cellar. Damp walls, salt tidemarks and a musty smell say more about a house than a freshly painted living room.

Ask about the heating. What fuel does it use and how old is the system? In both Basel cantons, requirements for renewable energy apply when a fossil-fuel heating system is replaced. In Basel-Stadt, a building energy certificate (Gebäudeenergieausweis) with a report on measures must also be drawn up for fossil-fuel heating systems that are more than 15 years old. An old oil heating system is therefore not a detail but an item in your calculation.

The documents

Land register extract, complete. This lists rights of way, rights of residence, pre-emption rights and the mortgage charges. Easements pass to you. Have every entry explained to you.

Plans and building permits. Does the plan match what you see? A converted attic without a permit is your problem as soon as you are the owner.

Building insurance policy. It shows the insured value and any reservations.

For flats, also the regulations, minutes, annual accounts and the balance of the renovation fund. The condominium flat

For let properties, the tenancy agreements and the rent roll. In Basel-Stadt, the housing protection rules (Wohnschutz) restrict the rent you may charge after a renovation. Buying FAQ

If you are unsure

Take someone with you who can read houses. Dieter Ruf comes along to the second viewing. For older properties we also recommend a condition survey by a building expert. The cost bears no relation to what an overlooked defect costs.