How many properties should you view before buying?

Purchasing a property involves a number of steps, most of which involve administrative tasks. However, the time required to view properties should not be overlooked. Viewing properties is advisable, but how many?

It is never advisable to limit yourself to viewing just one property and making an offer immediately, and this despite having fallen in love with it. Taking your time, on the contrary, encourages more thorough reflection and allows you to ask the right questions before buying. Viewing several properties gives you the opportunity to compare them, whether in terms of price, space or the neighbourhood.

Each property is unique, which is why you should never rush into making an offer. The recent study by Crédit Foncier, published in July 2018, indicates that before completing the purchase of a primary residence, households viewed on average 6 properties. In large urban areas, the study shows that 6.5 properties are viewed in municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, compared to 5.3 properties for those with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants.

The same study tells us that more than 4.5 months elapse between the beginning of the search and the signing. This duration is considerably shorter than in previous years, as in 2014 it could take up to 7 months to complete a sale. If you are looking for a property in a large urban area (more than 50,000 inhabitants), the time can even be reduced to 4 months.

Without viewing dozens and dozens of properties, try, where possible, to see at least 6. The recommended average to have the time to compare, analyse, picture yourself and be certain about your favourite property.