How many viewings do I need?

At least two. The first for the overall impression, the second with time, daylight and ideally a building or home-systems professional. Deliberately visit at different times of day, not least because of noise and traffic.

What does a building professional cost?

Having a building expert along at the second viewing usually costs a few hundred francs. Measured against an overlooked heating system or a damp basement quickly running to five figures, it is one of the cheapest insurances in the whole buying process.

Which documents should I ask for?

The land registry extract, the building insurance certificate, service charge statements for recent years, records of renovations, the GEAK energy certificate if there is one, and for condominium ownership additionally the rules, the minutes of the owners' meetings and the balance of the renovation fund.

Huusfink Guide12 August 2026

Property viewing: what you really need to look for

Thirty minutes of viewing decide whether you spot the expensive problems now or only after the purchase. These are the points that make the difference.

The money pits first

→Heating: ask for type and year. An oil or gas heating over 20 years old means budgeting for a replacement, CHF 40'000 to 70'000 depending on the system. Listings like to stay quiet about this.
→Roof and facade: ask when they were last renovated. Together they run to six figures when they come due.
→Damp: look and smell in basement corners, watch for efflorescence and single freshly painted walls. A musty smell is a finding, not a trifle.
→Electrics: have the fuse box opened. Old installations without RCD protection mean a renovation at the next inspection.
→Windows: single or old double glazing drives up heating costs and is a renovation item of several tens of thousands of francs.

You hear a location before you see it

Road, rail and aviation noise change with the time of day and the wind direction. Stand still on the balcony for ten minutes, come by once in the evening rush and once at the weekend. Also check what is planned next to the plot: a neighbour's building land reserve can turn into a construction site that takes your view.

The paperwork is part of the inspection

Missing documents are a signal. Ask for the land registry extract (easements, rights of way), renovation receipts and, for condominium ownership, the renovation fund balance: a low fund under an old roof means you are effectively the one paying for that renovation. Permits for conversions (conservatory, attic extension) must be on file; legalising them afterwards is expensive to impossible.

A system instead of gut feeling

After three viewings, the properties blur together. Rate every point right there on site and capture notes, photos and voice memos; then you can genuinely compare properties. That is exactly what the Huusfink checklist is built for; and if you first want to know whether the appointment is worth it at all, the buying check runs the listing through the numbers in two minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Take the points with you: the interactive checklist walks you through the appointment with a rating scale, notes, photos and voice memos, even offline in the basement.

Open the checklist