Buying a house in Sweden: checklist from viewing to possession

A house purchase involves roughly eight decisions. Seven are administrative. One — the actual condition of the house — decides whether it was a good deal. This checklist covers both.

Before you start looking

Mortgage promise in place, plus a buffer beyond the down payment
Decide how much renovation you realistically have appetite for
Track final prices in the area for at least a month

At the viewing

Photograph everything, especially what's hard to reach.

Basement and crawl space: smell, discolouration, damp feel
Attic: moisture on the underside of the roof, insulation, ventilation
Wet rooms: fall towards the drain, penetrations, age of the membrane
Roof and gutters from outside, ideally with binoculars
Façade and plinth: cracks, planting against walls, ground slope

Before bidding

Request the full inspection report, not the summary
Price every finding with local cost ranges
Set a maximum bid and write it down
Contact at least one contractor per major finding

Contract and possession

Read any inspection clauses carefully before signing
Book urgent work before the possession date
Arrange house insurance from day one

Frequently asked questions

Should I order my own inspection if the seller has one?

If the seller's report is recent and complete it usually suffices — but always follow up items recommending further investigation.

How big a buffer do I need?

At minimum the total of all findings due within two years, plus 10%.

Got the inspection report?

Upload the PDF and Grund prioritises every finding, gives you local cost ranges and three nearby contractors who can quote — before you bid.

Analyze my report