Questions a Buyer Should Ask When Looking for a New Home.
Buying a home will probably be the biggest purchase of your life, so understandably it can be a daunting experience. There can be a lot of risk buying a home and you want to get it right, so do your research and ask the right questions when viewing a home, as this is essential. A good estate agent will always ensure you get the right information, and these questions can help as a guide…
About the property and grounds:
Try and find out as much as you can about the property, the boundaries and the gardens. Find out about the history, check each room, look further than the décor and the furniture to see if this home is the right property for you.
How long have you lived in this property?
What’s the reason for selling?
How long has the property been on the market?
How old is the property?
What category band is the council tax?
Is the property lease or freehold?
If it is leasehold how long is left?
Are there any service charges?
How is the management company?
If it is freehold, is it possible to buy?
Are there any other properties/buildings on the land?
What direction is the garden?
Is there any damp?
What’s the mobile phone signal like?
How old is the boiler?
There are several different levels of survey available to buyers which will cover many of these questions. Your agent and solicitor will be able to provide details of specialist firms to help you make the decision whether you have a survey and what type is right for you and the property.
Renovations:
Think about this being your home in the future and if it will work for you as your life changes. Ask questions about the flexibility of the home, think about the cost of living rising, and can you make changes should you need to.
Have you had any major works done on the home, renovations or extensions? (If it isn’t obvious or if the owner isn’t forthcoming
Have you had any planning applications rejected?
Have you had any problems with the home?
How sustainable and energy efficient is the property?
Where do the boundaries lie?
Neighbourhood:
No one wants to move to a home and then find out there are disputes with the neighbours so do some digging and go and meet the neighbours if you are really serious about buying the property. Do your research to check you have the facilities you need to hand.
What are the neighbours like?
Have there been any disputes with any neighbours? (Particularly over the boundaries)
What is the area like? (If you are new to the area)
About the sale of the home:
Clarify what’s included and what isn’t in the sale. Find out how much competition you have and what time frames you are going to be looking at to see if the buying process will work for you and your timeframes, or end up costing you more money.
What’s included in the sale?
How much interest have you had?
Have you had any offers?
What is your own home buying situation?
Are you part of a chain?
As well as making sure you ask the right questions, it is also worth visiting the home you want to buy at different times of the day or week to see what the traffic is like, the noise levels and also what the neighbours are like etc.
For help buying or selling a home call Esther and the team on 01564 791010.