The purchase of a home is a huge investment, so it’s essential to know all you can about a house before buying it.
Afflicting the appropriate questions during an inspection of your property is an effective method to gain important information that can aid you in making an informed decision about buying.
How long has the home been on the market for and how long the current sellers have been living there is good questions to discover answers. A house that’s been listed for a while may have some hidden flaws or be a good opportunity to get a lower cost. Also, neighbours can be the difference between a new and home, so it is important to inquire about their status in case you have to be apprehensive about your decision several months later. If the owner of the property has had any issues and is legally bound to let you know if you inquire.
In this article we discuss the 10 most important questions to be asking an estate representative.
This checklist of house inspections explains all the questions you’ll have to ask yourself while looking around what could be your dream home.
What’s the first thing to do when visiting a house?
When viewing a house the first thing you must take note of your first impression of the home.
Make sure you arrive early for your viewing and then spend time on the property, thinking about things like:
Noise from homes of neighbors
Street traffic
The state of the exterior of the building, including the roof
What should I look for when walking through a house?
When walking through the property during a viewing, you should look out for:
Signs of damp, including the peeling of wallpapers, blistered or cracked paint or mould
Subsistence signs, such as cracks in walls or floor tiles that are falling
Plumbing issues, such as low pressure in the water
Electrical issues, like damaged wiring, or old sockets
Poor quality windows can impact the efficiency of energy
There is no central heating
New decor that may be hiding a problem
What are the things you should not do while looking at a house?
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Do not get too emotional watching a movie.
The process of buying a house is an emotional experience, however, it’s crucial to concentrate on the practical aspects of a home when you’re viewing it for the first time.
Other things you should avoid when you are viewing a home include:
Informing the seller’s agent it is your dream home
Doing anything that is disrespectful to the property or its decor
Negotiating on price with the agent
Bringing along pets
How many times should I look at the house prior to buying it?
You should visit a property multiple times as often as you’d like to prior to making a decision to purchase.
In a bustling market and with lots of buyers interest, it is recommended to look over the property at least two times before making an offer.
You’re likely to be more emotional about a property on your first visit, which means you may miss potential issues.
A third, a second, or even a fourth or fifth viewing provides the possibility to:
Look more closely at your property’s condition
Consider the practical elements and determine if it will benefit you.
Bring other family members or tradespeople along for a second opinion
The property and surrounding area can be viewed at various times during the day.
Make sure you measure, so you’re sure you’ll be able to fit your belongings into the property
Questions to ask when buying a house
There are a whole host of questions you need to inquire about the estate agent for the seller on a viewing, including:
1. What is the reason why the property is being for sale?
Knowing why sellers are moving will give you a great idea of how fast they need to move.
Maybe they’re moving due to work reasons and require to be relocated to a different area on a particular date.
Maybe they’re just looking to test the waters by placing their home on the market , and they’re not looking to sell their home in a hurry.
Understanding these points will give you an excellent indication of how receptive the sellers might be for an offering.
2. How long have they had it since it was first introduced to the market?
A home that’s been on the market for a long time could possibly indicate issues or it’s priced too high.
The sellers might also be more open to an offer that is lower when they’ve not been able to sell for a long time.
3. Have there been any offers?
It’s crucial to know how much interest there is in the properties you’re looking at.
If the property you are considering has had offers but been rejected, you may be in the middle of a crowded market, and may have to pay more to secure it.
If the property you are considering received little attention or interest, you could have more time to contemplate it and go to more viewings without the stress of knowing other people are interested, too.
4. What is the most recent work that has been completed to the land?
Find out from the estate agent for your seller regarding major renovation work that has completed, who has completed the work, and if there were any guarantees.
Also, you should inquire about planning permission as well as whether it was obtained correctly at the time of sale by the sellers.
If work was carried out without the needed planning consent, this could have an enormous impact should you decide to buy the property.
5. Are the sellers able to find an alternative property?
If the homeowners of the house you’re looking at are waiting to find their new home, it could influence the speed with which you can move.
Knowing how long the property chain will likely to last can help you decide if the property is right for you.
6. In how many sales has it been
A property with lots of different owners within a short space of time could be a red flag.
There are many owners who could signal a problem with the property, its neighbours or the area.
Ask the estate agent how long the current owners have been in the house and then seek out the time the before they lived there.
7. What’s included with the sale?
Even at the first time you visit, it can be helpful to have a sense of what else is expected from the sale or purchase.
What fixtures and fittings will be kept? Are the sellers planning to take the greenhouse or garden shed with them when they leave?
8. Does the house have fibre internet access?
It’s never so crucial, so learn details about the broadband speed in the property you’re viewing.
Rural homes often experience slower speeds, due to copper instead of fibre optic cables, so ask the agent about this when you’re in need of a super-fast internet connection.
9. Is the boiler fully serviced and is it in good condition? How old is it?
Boilers are among the most expensive appliances you can replace, so it is important to determine how often the boiler at the home you’re looking at has been maintained.
An old boiler could also be a reason to be concerned, and you should ask your agent about the age of the home’s heating and hot water systems, too.
10. Have there been any issues regarding the neighbors?
Sellers are legally bound to report any issues with neighbors when asked for, so it is important to ask the agent if there have been any issues.
Your complete house viewing checklist
There are many things you’ll have to take into consideration when looking at properties to purchase and this list can help you:
1. Exterior of the property
What is the property’s general exterior condition like?
Are there any major cracks in the brickwork, pointing or render?
What condition are the rendered in?
Are there missing or cracked tile on your roof?
Is the chimney solid and straight?
What condition are the downpipes and gutters in?
Do the facias look good?
Are the windows made of wood or uPVC and in what state is it?
What condition do you think the gardens are in?
Does the garden function as a useable space?
Are you able to overlook the garden of neighbors?
Are there trees that are large in the garden or in neighboring properties?
Do you see any evidence of the invasive plant species, like Japanese Knotweed?
2. In each room
Are the switches and light fittings in good condition and do they all function?
How is each room’s general style?
What condition are carpets and the hard floor in?
Do you see any indications of mould or damp?
Do the walls show any significant cracks?
Does each space have enough storage space?
Can neighboring homes have direct lines of sight to the property?
Do doors and windows open and close correctly?
Are the windows double-glazed and in good shape?
Are the radiators working?
Are there enough sockets for plugs?
3. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures
Are the taps functioning as well as the sinks/basins drain?
How is the water pressure?
Are the hot water taps are heated enough?
Do the toilets flush and replenish in a proper manner?
4. Kitchen
Which fixtures and fittings, and appliances come with the property after it’s to be sold?
Are the drawers and cupboards in good working order and do they shut or open?
Do the taps work ? And is the sink able to drain?
Do built-in appliances all work properly?
Does the kitchen have enough storage?
Is there enough kitchen space to cook food?
5. Living room
How much light do the living room get?
Does it feel warm and inviting?
Are the ceiling or walls are textured?
Does the fireplace work?
Do you have enough space to accommodate your furniture?
Do you have room for a TV?
6. Bedrooms
Is there enough space for a big bed?
Does the device have built-in storage?
Does the space have enough room to fit a wardrobe or a dresser?
Are the blinds or curtains part of the property?
7. General questions
Does the property include off-road parking?
Does it work? Does it have fire and burglar alarms?
Is the coverage for mobile phones good inside and outside?
Does the property offer development potential?
Are the lofts accessible? And can it be used for storage?
Is the property situated in a conservation area , or could it be a listed structure?
What is the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?
How busy is the traffic outside during rush hour as well as on weekends?
How good are transport links close to you?
Are you able to find the property near services like shopping?
What is the quality of the schools in the catchment area?
8. What are the most important questions to ask when purchasing flats?
Do you think the flat leasehold is a separate freehold an element of a shared freehold?
What is the remaining time on the lease?
Can the amount of time remaining on the lease affect your likelihood of getting a loan?
What is the cost of the annual cost of service?
Is there a ground rent due and how much is it?
What is the responsibility of the communal areas?
Does the property come with parking?
Are you able to hear the noise of adjacent flats?