Why bring a checklist
A viewing usually lasts about ten minutes, and in that time it is easy to be won over by obvious pluses such as sunlight or the interior. With the owner or a tenant present, it can also feel awkward to open every cupboard. Yet the things that bother you once you live there, such as weak water pressure, winter condensation or night-time noise, could usually have been spotted on the day. Bringing a list you prepared lets you judge by criteria rather than feelings, and makes it easy to compare several homes on the same terms. This guide is written with Korean apartments and villas in mind.
Before you go
Half of a good viewing is preparation. Ask in advance for the exclusive area, floor, orientation and maintenance charges, and check on a map how far the station, bus stops, supermarket and clinic are. If you measure your furniture beforehand, you can tell on the spot whether it will fit. Rather than an average maintenance figure, ask to see a summer and a winter bill to gauge the real cost including heating.
- Tape measure and torch (a phone light will do)
- A phone for photos and video
- Notes on the size of large furniture and appliances
- This checklist
Water and pipes: run them yourself
You cannot judge water by looking, so always turn the taps on. Run the kitchen and bathroom taps together to see how much the pressure drops, and time how long hot water takes to arrive. Pour water into the basin, sink and bathroom floor to see that it drains freely and that no smell rises from the drains. Do not forget to flush the toilet. Ask how old the boiler is and when it was last serviced, and in winter feel the floor to see whether heating is even.
Damp and signs of leaks
Mould and leaks are among the hardest problems to fix once you live there, and they cause frequent disputes. Fresh wallpaper can hide the traces, so pay attention to smell and the state of the paper as well. Shining a torch into corners reveals stains you would miss with the naked eye.
- Black stains on window frames and the wall below windows
- Walls behind built-in wardrobes and large furniture
- Water marks in ceiling corners and on the bathroom ceiling
- Wallpaper that is lifting or rippled
- A musty smell as soon as you walk in
Light, noise and air
Sunlight depends not only on orientation but also on the distance to the building opposite and on the floor. On a daytime visit, open the curtains to see the real brightness, and if possible pass by once in the evening too. Check noise with the windows both shut and open. A major road, railway, school, shops or a lift shaft next door all change daily life, and noise from the flat above is hard to judge on a short visit, so asking the management office or neighbours is worthwhile. Look at whether air can flow through, for example with windows on both sides.
Daily routines and fixtures
Walk through the home imagining a day in the life of whoever will live there, and you will spot what you missed. Check that sockets are where you need them, that the washing machine and fridge spaces are big enough and have drains, and that there is enough storage. Phone signal and internet availability, lifts and parking, the rubbish area and how parcels are handled are things you will deal with every day. Switch on any appliances included with the home to see that they work.
- Socket positions and number
- Washing machine and fridge space dimensions
- Phone signal and internet
- Parking, lifts and rubbish disposal
- Whether included appliances work
Recording and asking
After several viewings, homes quickly blur together. Take photos and short videos of each room, and close-ups of any problems you find. Prepare questions to ask on the spot: what the maintenance charges cover, whether anything was recently repaired, why the home is on the market and when you could move in. If the owner agrees to fix a defect before you move in, do not leave it as a verbal promise; write it into the contract's special terms so you have evidence later.
After the viewing, and cautions
However carefully you look on site, you cannot see the home's legal rights. When you find one you like, pull the property register and building ledger yourself, and compare by exclusive area using the apartment area guide. Even if you are pressed to decide, a second look or a visit at a different time reduces regret. This is a general inspection guide and is not investment, legal or tax advice. If you suspect a gas or electrical safety problem, ask the management office or a specialist to inspect it, and check official Korean guidance on contract rules.
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