Viewing Bingo: How Many Can You Tick Off?
Everyone who's ever viewed a property knows the feeling. You've seen the photos, you've read the description, and you've decided you're being completely rational about this. Then you walk in and your brain does something else entirely. So grab a pen and see how many of these you can tick off. A full house means you're officially a viewing veteran.
Your card
1. "Bijou." The listing said "bijou", and now you're standing in a kitchen where you can touch both walls without moving.
2. The cupboard test. You've opened at least one cupboard you had no business opening.
3. The mystery door. Nobody can tell you what's behind it, and the agent says "storage" with suspicious confidence.
4. The sell-by-the-smell. Freshly baked bread or fresh coffee. The sellers knew you were coming.
5. The room you've already furnished. You haven't made an offer, but the sofa is placed, the plants are chosen, and you've picked a side of the bed.
6. The "it just needs a little TLC" moment. Said with a smile, usually while pointing at something that needs rather more than that.
7. The tap-turning. You turn every tap, flush every loo and switch on every light, and try to look casual about it.
8. The pretend-calm face. You love it, but you're keeping your poker face on for the entire visit.
9. The "what's the garden like in summer?" question. You're viewing in the rain.
10. The lingering in the doorway. You stay a minute after the viewing ends, just to check that it still feels right.
11. The car-park debrief. You and your partner (or friend, or mum) have a whispered verdict before you've even left the drive.
12. The unexpected favourite. The house you liked least on paper is the one you can't stop thinking about.
Why we play this game
A house viewing is half logic and half gut. You need the practical answers (the boiler's age, the bills, the commute), but you also need to know whether you can picture your life there. Ten minutes in a room tells you a lot, and the bingo card is a good reminder to pay attention to both.
Our tips
- Take photos and notes. After three viewings, they all blur together.
- Look up, down and behind. Ceilings, floors and the backs of doors tell you a lot.
- Ask about the boring things. Heating, windows, bills and who's next door.
- Trust the feeling. If a place feels right, say so, and if it doesn't, that's useful to know too.
Ready to start your own card?
Whether you're buying, selling or just browsing, we love a good viewing, and we promise to leave the mystery doors unopened unless you ask.
Get in touch with our team to book a viewing or a valuation.
