What to look for when viewing a rental property? Tips for choosing the right room

What is the importance of viewing the property when searching for a property?

Viewing a property is an essential part of renting a property. It is an important event where you actually go to the property and check various things.

Since this is your first time visiting a property and you only have a short viewing time, you want to make sure you check everything thoroughly and without wasting time.

Let's learn what to look for when checking the property and the surrounding area while clearly imagining your new life that is about to begin.

What is a viewing in the first place?

Nai-mi is short for "internal viewing." When you find a property that interests you after researching property information on a rental information site or at a real estate agency, you don't immediately sign a contract, but instead actually view the property.

While there are some properties that cannot be viewed, most real estate companies will generally provide an opportunity for a viewing.

For example, if the property is not yet occupied and you are unable to view it, you may be able to view a similar room (a vacant room in the same building).If the building is not yet completed (such as a new build property), you may be able to see the showroom or a property that is currently under construction.

Number of properties available for viewing in one day

The estimated time required per property, including travel time, is about one hour. If you consider that viewing hours are between 10am and 6pm, the number of properties you can physically look around will be limited to 6-7.

However, if you view too many properties, you may not be able to remember which room you are referring to when you think back on it later, or you may get confused about the room.

Above all, viewing properties is more tiring than you might imagine. In order to make the right decision, I recommend not being too greedy and limiting yourself to about 3-4 properties per day.

The best time to view the property

Start searching for a property 2 months before your planned move date.

About two months before you want to move in, plan your schedule and start gathering information online. Visit real estate agencies one to one and a half months before and start looking around the property.

Since official documents such as a resident registration card and a seal certificate are required to enter into a contract, you should also take into account the time it will take to obtain these.

Real estate companies will often turn you down if you start looking for a property too early, such as if your move-in date is more than six months away.

In rental properties, if a room is left vacant for a long time, the landlord will incur a loss, so priority is given to those who can rent it immediately. Even if you find a room you like, you cannot reserve it and ask that it be kept for a while.

On the other hand, if you start looking too late, you may run into problems such as not having enough time to carefully choose or not being able to make a deadline due to the screening process.

Generally, after viewing the property, the next process involves applying to move in, being screened, being given important information, and signing a rental agreement. If you pass the screening, the move-in date will be decided within about two weeks, and rent will be charged.

Therefore, you will need to select a moving company at the same time as you apply for the property.

You will also need to notify them that you will be moving out if you are currently living in a rented property.

The number of days before you need to contact the landlord before moving out depends on the terms of the contract for each property.

Check the rental agreement for the property you currently live in and be sure to contact your landlord or management company before the deadline.

The busy season is from January to March! The benefits of searching for a property during the off-season from June to August

Real estate companies become busy from around January as people move around a lot in March due to continuing education, starting work, and transferring jobs.

In March, when many people move, both demand and supply of properties are inevitably high, and even good properties that are difficult to find vacant may become available at this time.

However, because this is a period of high demand and high supply, it's a "first come, first served" situation, and even if you find a property you're interested in, it's not uncommon for the listing to close while you're still undecided.

Additionally, during busy seasons, it can be difficult to make viewing appointments with real estate agencies, and due to high demand, landlords and management companies tend not to negotiate rent.

Moving company reservations also fill up quickly, making it difficult to stick to your desired schedule.

June to August is the rainy season and the hot summer months, so many people may find it difficult to feel positive about moving.

This means that the real estate agency staff have plenty of time to spare to look around and consult with you, allowing you to take your time searching for a room.

Also, since this is the off-season for moving companies, you can keep moving costs low and reserve a truck on the date you want.

It can be said that this is a relatively easy time to negotiate rent with landlords and management companies who want to get rid of vacant rooms quickly, so if you don't have any particular timing restrictions, it may be a good idea to aim for the off-season when there is less demand for moving.

Recommended days and times for viewing

As the property may not have lighting, we recommend finishing between 5pm and 6pm (before sunset) to thoroughly check every detail of the room.

Depending on the people living in the property and the surrounding environment, it is not uncommon for there to be more noise than you would expect and for the atmosphere to change between weekdays and holidays, and between daytime and nighttime.

If you find a property you like, it's important to go and look around the surrounding area on a day or time different from the time you went to view the property.

Flow of the viewing day

By knowing the flow of the actual viewing day, you can understand in advance how much time it will take and what you will need to do on the day. Next, we will introduce the flow of the viewing day in order.

1. Receive an explanation from the real estate agency you booked

On the day of the viewing, you will visit the real estate agency you have booked in advance and be given an explanation about the property you are viewing and similar properties.

At this time, depending on the real estate company, you may be asked to fill out a questionnaire, and based on your answers they will introduce you to new properties with ideal room conditions and surrounding environment.

Also, the meeting place for viewings may not be at the store, but at the nearest station or the actual location. Make sure to check in advance where and what time you should arrive.

2. View the property in person

Once you have decided which property you would like to view on the day, you will head to the property together with the person in charge.

If the distance is short, you may be able to walk, but if the property is far from the station or you are visiting multiple properties, they will provide a car ride.

While traveling, be sure to check the surrounding environment, such as whether there are supermarkets, convenience stores, or drugstores, the number of people and cars passing by, and the atmosphere of the town.

When you arrive at the property you want to view, go inside the room and check out any points that interest you.

We measure the size of the rooms and facilities, and check the location of balconies, bathrooms, and electrical outlets, which cannot be determined from drawings alone.

3. Return to the real estate agency and discuss the results of the viewing

Once you have finished viewing all the properties, you will return to the real estate agency and discuss the results of your viewings again.

If you like the room you viewed, you can proceed with the application process on the spot, but if you would like to see more rooms or couldn't find a suitable property, we will discuss what to do next.

Also, viewing the property takes a lot of time and effort, but it is an important decision as it determines where you will be living for the rest of your life, so if you are even slightly worried, we recommend that you take the property home and think about it.

Seven points to check when viewing a property

When viewing the property, be sure to check from various perspectives, such as delivery, facility functions, and living conditions.

Moving is a big deal that takes time and money, so be sure to check every nook and cranny to avoid regrets later.

It depends on how many properties you view in a day, but a viewing should last anywhere from a few dozen minutes to an hour at most. Here are seven things you should be sure to cover in that limited time.

1. Sunlight

The brightness and sunlight in your room are very important for your physical and mental health.

It is generally believed that a south-facing room is sunny and a north-facing room is dark, but in fact this can vary greatly depending on the surrounding buildings.

Also check how bright the property is when you actually view it and whether there are any plans for the construction of any large buildings nearby.

2. Odor and moisture

Humid homes can be a real problem, as mold can grow on furniture and clothes. It's hard to tell just by looking, so be sure to check carefully.

Pay attention to the smell when you enter the room, especially the smell of mold.

Also, check for condensation, which is a major cause of humidity, and for mold or discoloration on the wood around the window frames. Sometimes the wood has been repainted in an unnatural way, so be sure to check carefully.

3. Size and layout

When you view the property, it appears larger than it actually is because there is no furniture present.

Check whether there will be enough space for the furniture you want to bring, while imagining the daily activities such as sleeping, waking up, cooking, eating, bathing, and laundry.

4. Are there any deficiencies in the facilities?

First, check the drains.

If you notice wind coming out of the drains of your bathtub, toilet, or washing machine, there is a good chance that the smell is coming from the pipes.

Make sure the faucets are not loose or leaking, and check that the windows and doors are working properly. If there are any problems, it is important to check whether they can be repaired before moving in.

5. Soundproofing and noise insulation

In wooden and steel framed buildings, a certain amount of noise is unavoidable due to the structure of the walls, so it is important to understand this in advance.

Also, keep in mind that reinforced concrete construction (RC construction) is not necessarily highly soundproof.

We often hear the saying "knock on the wall to make a judgement," but the reality is that when an amateur knocks on a wall, they often don't really understand anything.

Put your ear to the wall to hear how much noise you can hear from the next room, and if there is an elevator nearby, check the mechanical noise you can hear as well.

Also, check how much surrounding noise you can hear with the windows closed.

6. Mobile phone reception

Mobile phone signals and other internet environments are essential to our daily lives. Make sure your smartphone signal is reaching you well.

Also, some apartments have internet access and many properties allow you to use it as soon as you move in, but the downside is that you still have to sign a contract even if you don't need it.

On the other hand, in some places you will have to arrange everything yourself, including the installation of the lines, so be sure to check in advance what the internet environment is like.

7. Surrounding Area

Check that there is space on the balcony to hang laundry and that there are facilities available.

And the most important thing is security. Even if the room is on the second floor or higher, it can be dangerous if the structure makes it easy to climb up.

Also, while some properties have a dedicated garbage disposal area where you can dispose of garbage 24 hours a day, in other cases the garbage disposal area is in a mess and garbage is just left lying around.

A garbage dump is a good indicator of whether or not a place is being well-managed.

At the entrance, you can guess what kind of trouble is occurring by checking the contents of the bulletin board.

Be careful if the instructions include specific details such as "We have received complaints about noise from neighbors" or "Please do not leave personal belongings such as bicycles in the shared hallways."

It is also important to get a feel for the atmosphere at the site to determine whether the security situation is good or bad.

Be sure to check whether there are any dilapidated buildings around the property, whether there are streetlights on the roads you live on, whether there is a lot of foot traffic, etc. We also recommend walking around supermarkets, convenience stores, and your school or work route at night.

What to bring when viewing a property

Here's what you should bring to the viewing:

• Camera (smartphone is also possible)
• Drawings and writing implements
• Furniture measurements
• major
• Comfortable clothing (easy to take off)

Camera (smartphone is also possible)

Be sure to take photos of the properties you view.

In addition to taking photos of places you are interested in or the entire room, you can also record the entire viewing experience on video, so you can rest assured that you will be able to review it later when comparing it with other properties.

Drawings and writing implements

The real estate agency will provide the drawings.

However, there are many cases where the floor plan is different from reality, such as the door being in the wrong position or missing.

Check carefully to see if there are any differences from the blueprint. Also, if you write down any parts of the property that interest you, the image you have of it, or the atmosphere of the surrounding area, you can use these as references for comparison later.

Furniture measurements

Measure and note down the dimensions (height, width, depth) of the appliances you want to take to your new home.

By comparing the details on the spot during the viewing, you can check whether the property can be moved in, how the furniture can be arranged, and how much space there will be after it is installed.

major

It's a good idea to have something sturdy to measure the exact size of the room and the height of the curtains.

Be sure to measure the locations of large appliances such as the refrigerator and washing machine, as well as the entrances (width) of each room.

It is especially important to carefully check the width, height, and opening angle of the entrance door.

We will check carefully to make sure that you don't run into problems like "the door won't open 90 degrees" or "furniture can't be brought in because of small protrusions such as an internal lock."

Comfortable clothes (shoes that are easy to take off)

Viewing properties requires you to stand all day, and if you are visiting multiple properties you will also be moving around a lot.

Also, you may need to bend, kneel, and move around to check the room thoroughly, so make sure to wear clothes that are easy to move in.

It is best to avoid boots as you will likely have to take them on and off repeatedly.

Properties with no foot traffic tend to accumulate dust and other dirt on the floor, so we recommend bringing slippers to wear when viewing the property.

summary

This time, we introduced the overview of viewings and the points you should check when viewing a property.

If you are new to property hunting, or are searching for a property in an unfamiliar place for further study or employment, start by establishing criteria for the type of room you would like to live in.

Look at lots of information on property search sites and apps, and imagine as precisely as possible the criteria for the room you want to live in, taking into account factors such as the area and your budget.

This will give you more time to choose a room.

Be sure to ask lots of questions to the real estate agent.

You may not know the family composition and occupations of the people on either side and above/below you (relieve yourself if the noises are heard at the same times as you), the number of complaints from neighbors, how long the previous residents lived there and why they moved out, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

The purpose of the viewing is to get a thorough understanding of the pros and cons of the property.

Make sure you prepare thoroughly in advance by clarifying your priorities, go to see as many properties as possible, develop an eye for them, and then make a calm and careful selection to find your ideal room.