Hey friend, the moment you step into a property for a site visit, that’s when the real decision-making starts! Brochures and photos can be edited, but your own eyes don’t lie. A proper site visit can save you from years of regret and lakhs of rupees in repairs or bad location headaches.

Neoexcel has turned the best site visit practices into a simple, beginner-friendly checklist you can carry on your phone. Follow this step-by-step and you’ll spot red flags, hidden gems, and know exactly whether the flat or house is worth your hard-earned money.

Before Leaving Home – Preparation is Key

• Fix the visit in daylight (preferably morning or afternoon) – never go only in the evening or at night.
• Carry a measuring tape, phone with good camera, notebook/Notes app, and this checklist.
• Check Google Maps for traffic and actual distance from your office/school.
• Note down your must-haves and deal-breakers (north-facing, no high-tension line nearby, etc.).
• Keep the floor plan ready to match what you see on site.

When You Reach the Location – First Impressions Matter

1. Check the approach road – is it wide enough for two cars? Will fire brigade or ambulance reach easily?
2. Look around the society – any garbage dumping, stray animals, open drains, or bad smell?
3. Is there water logging on the road during rains? (Ask security or nearby shops – especially important in Kanpur!)
4. Distance from main road – too inside means daily travel headache.
5. Check mobile network strength of all operators right there.

Inside the Society / Project – The Big Checks

Security & Safety

• Proper boundary wall and main gate?
• 24×7 security guards or only CCTV?
• Are outsiders freely roaming or is entry strict?
• Fire safety equipment visible and working?

Lift Quality (very important in high-rises)

• Brand of the lift (Otis, Kone, Schindler are good)
• How many lifts per tower and how many floors they serve
• Is there a service lift separately?
• Power backup for lifts?

Parking Area

• Is your allotted parking easily accessible or too tight?
• Visitor parking available or always full?

• Any water seepage in basement parking?

Staircase

• Wide and well-lit?
• Used as smoking/spitting area? (common problem)

Water Supply & Quality

• Ask about water source – municipal, borewell, or tanker?
• Is water hard (white marks on taps mean hard water – bad for skin & geyser)
• 24×7 water supply or fixed timings?

Power Backup

• Full back up or only for common areas & lifts?
• Brand of DG set and how many hours it actually runs during outage.

Inside the Actual Flat – The Most Important Part

Natural Light & Ventilation

• Open all windows – does sunlight come in properly?
• Is there cross-ventilation (air flows from one side to another)?
• Any flat facing brick wall of next building or slum?

Seepage & Wall Condition

• Check all ceilings and walls near bathroom/kitchen for yellow stains or damp patches.
• Look behind curtains and inside cupboards – builders hide seepage there.

Electrical Points

• Count power points in each room – are they enough or will you need extensions everywhere?
• Location of points – one near bed for phone charging, TV points, AC points?

Bathroom Fittings & Plumbing

• Turn on taps – water pressure good?
• Any leakage under wash basin or around shower?
• Flush the toilet – does it work properly?
• Exhaust fan working?