Do your research before the viewing:

• Have a look around the neighbourhood and try and get a feel for the community – do you feel safe? 
  
• What is the crime level like in the area?
• What are the local amenities like, supermarkets, post office etc. 
  
• Are there nearby main roads, or pubs, clubs or restaurants - they can be handy, but also noisy
• Check for nearby railway lines - or overhead flight paths
  
• How good or near is the public transport?
• If you have children, are the local schools good
• The aspect of the house - does it get enough light? which rooms get the light in the morning/evening etc
  
• Is the garden south facing? and when do you get the sun?
  
• What is the parking like?
• Look up which council tax band the property is under and what the monthly costs would be

When you look around a property make a note of the following:

• Does the property need updating - if so, how much will this cost - new kitchen, bathroom suite etc?
• Is there any sign of subsidence (e.g. major cracks in the walls or the doors sticking)
• Is there a smell of damp or any other sign such as the walls feeling damp, the wallpaper peeling/paint bubbling, watermarks or mould?
• Are there sufficient power points, how old do they look? Would you need to replace any electricals?
• Do the window frames have cracking paint? (If you can press your finger easily into the wood it’s rotten)  If they are double glazed, when were they put in and when does the guarantee run out?
• Does it feel like it could be your home?
• Whilst looking around try to add up costs you will have for fixtures and fittings e.g. washing machines, new carpets/flooring
  
• Is there the potential to add an extension in the future?
  

Prepare a list of questions -  Take your time, be nosey and ask blunt questions, after all, this is the biggest purchase of your life:

• Is the property in a conservation area or a listed building and could this restrict any future alterations? 
  
• Are there any known plans for development in the area? - building or converting houses or flats could affect your available parking
  

• What is included in the sale - land, garage, furniture, fittings, etc
• Why are the sellers moving?
• Does the house have full central heating? If so, how old is it?
• How is the water heated? Combination boiler or tank, etc
• If there is a loft, has this been insulated? and is there space for storage?
• Does the property have cavity wall insulation?
• Has the room recently been decorated, if so, why? (there may be an underlying problem like subsidence) 
  
• What are the neighbours like? Are they noisy?
• Has there ever been a dispute with the neighbours (or anyone living nearby)
• Roughly how much are the monthly bills?
  

Don't worry if you forget to ask all your questions first time round, you can always go back for a second viewing!

Good Luck