How do you compare several homes without losing track of what mattered?

Last reviewed: October 2026

Record the same small set of facts and impressions immediately after every viewing, compare each property against your own must-haves and deal-breakers, separate fixable issues from permanent compromises, and keep open questions visible.

The first property is easy to remember. By the fifth, details blur. The answer is not an enormous generic scorecard; it is a small set of consistent information recorded immediately after every viewing.

1. Decide your criteria before the viewing

Must-haves

Things the property genuinely needs to work for you, such as minimum bedrooms, workable commute, step-free access or parking.

Nice-to-haves

Features you value but could trade against something else, such as a larger garden, utility room, architectural style or extra reception room.

Deal-breakers

Conditions that make the property unsuitable even if other features are strong.

2. Record objective facts separately from impressions

• Facts: asking price, tenure, bedrooms and bathrooms, approximate room sizes, parking, outside space, service charge or lease information, commute estimate, visible maintenance questions, EPC and running-cost information, and seller or chain position if known.
• Impressions: layout, light and noise, privacy, work you would want to do, whether you could imagine living there, and unresolved concerns.

3. Score the things that actually matter to you

A simple one-to-five score can help for location, layout, space, condition, outside space, commute, value for budget and overall fit, but do not pretend every category has equal importance.

1. Does it pass every true deal-breaker?
2. How many must-haves does it satisfy?
3. Which compromises are reversible and which are permanent?
4. What additional spending is likely?
5. Only then compare nice-to-haves.

4. Distinguish fixable problems from permanent ones

Potentially changeable: decoration, kitchen finishes, storage solutions, some internal layouts, landscaping. Hard or impossible to change: road noise, orientation, plot size, immediate neighbours, a train line, the local area, some lease restrictions and a fundamentally poor commute.

5. Add a realistic 'cost to make it mine' estimate

• Essential repairs identified or suspected.
• Near-term maintenance.
• Improvements necessary for your lifestyle.
• Higher recurring costs such as service charges.

This is not a replacement for quotes, survey advice or legal review.

6. Record unanswered questions

• How old is the boiler?
• Is a loft conversion documented properly?
• What is included in the sale?
• Are major works planned?
• What explains a damp mark?
• How long is left on the lease?
• What is the seller's onward position?

7. Write the notes immediately

• Overall first impression.
• Three strongest points.
• Three biggest concerns.
• Must-haves passed or failed.
• Likely extra spend.
• Unanswered questions.
• Whether you would view again.
• Whether you would realistically offer at the current price.

8. Compare homes side by side, not one at a time

• Which most closely fits non-negotiables?
• Which has the fewest permanent compromises?
• Which property's cost and condition do you understand best?
• Are you favouring one emotional feature despite weaker fundamentals?

Numbers should support judgement rather than replace it.

9. Revisit the finalists

Use a second viewing to resolve decision-relevant questions: noise at another time, measurements, storage, visible concerns, routes to the station or amenities, and practical flow. Use appropriate professionals for material condition, title or lease issues.

How EarlyDoors can help

EarlyDoors' viewing tracker and comparison tools are intended to keep this information alongside the requirements you defined earlier in your search. The objective is not to tell you which home to buy; it is to give you a clearer record of why one property fits you better than another.