Buying houses for sale near me is a huge investment, so it’s important to find out the most you can about the property before you buy it.
Asking the right questions on a property viewing can be a great way to get the most important details that can enable you to make an informed decision on buying.
How long the house has been listed for sale and how long the sellers have resided there for are excellent questions to find out the answers. A property that has been listed for a while may have a hidden negative or could be a great way of getting a reduced cost. In addition, neighbors can make or break a new house, so be sure to ask how they are, as you don’t want to regret your move several months later. If the owner of the property has encountered any issues and is legally bound to inform you when you inquire.
In this article we discuss the 10 most crucial questions you should inquire of an estate professional.
Our checklist for viewing houses lists all the questions you’ll have to ask yourself as you consider the possibilities of your dream home.
What is the first step to take when you are looking at the house?
In the event of a house inspection the first thing you must be thinking about is your initial impressions of the property.
Make sure you arrive early for your viewing and take some time to explore the property, pondering things such as:
Noises from neighboring homes
Street traffic
The condition of the property’s exterior as well as the roof
What should I look for when walking through a house?
When walking through a property during a viewing be sure to look for:
Signs of damp, including broken wallpaper, blistered painting, or the appearance of mould
The signs of subsidence are cracks in walls, or floors that are sagging
Plumbing issues, such as lack of pressure in the water
Electrical issues, like damaged wiring, or old sockets
Poor quality windows that could reduce the energy efficiency
No central heating system.
Fresh decorating that could be hiding a bigger issue
What are the things you should not do when you are looking at houses?
Do not become emotional on a viewing.
Home buying is an emotional process, but it’s essential to focus on the practical aspects of a property you’re considering viewing for an initial time.
Other things to stay clear of during a viewing of a property include:
Confirming to the agent of the seller this property your dream house
Doing anything that is disrespectful to the property or its decor
Discussion of the price with the agent
Pets are welcome to accompany you
How many times should I go to see a house before buying?
It is recommended to visit a home at least as many times as you feel you need to before committing to buying.
Even in a busy market where there is a lot of buyer activity, you should view the property at least two times before you make an offer.
You’re most likely to feel more emotionally attached to the house you’ve just had the pleasure of view, and you’ll miss any potential issues.
A second, third or even fourth viewing gives you the opportunity to:
Take a closer look at the condition of the property
Take a look at the practical aspects and evaluate how it will work for you
Take other family members or tradespeople for a second opinion
Explore the area and property at different periods of the day.
Make sure you measure, so you’re sure the items you bring in the space.
Things to consider when buying the house
There’s a myriad of questions to ask the estate representative of the seller at a viewing. These include:
1. Why is the property being for sale?
Knowing why sellers are moving can give you a clear idea of how fast they’ll need to be moving.
Maybe they’re moving due to work reasons and must have relocated to a new location on a particular date.
Maybe they’re just taking a test by putting their house for sale and aren’t looking to sell their home in a hurry.
Understanding these points will give you an indicator of how willing the sellers may be in response to an offer.
2. How many years have they had it since it came on the market?
A home that’s been available for a lengthy period could either indicate problems or that it’s being sold at a premium.
The sellers may also be more open to an offer that is lower in the event that they’ve been unable sell for a number of months.
3. Have there been any offers?
It is important to determine how much interest you have in any property you’re interested in viewing.
If a property has already had offers but these have been denied, you could have to contend with more competition and may have to pay more to secure it.
If the property you are considering had little interest it could be worth your time to look at it and even attend more showings without having to worry that others are interested too.
4. What work has been done to the land?
Ask your seller’s estate agent regarding major renovation work that has been completed, the person who has completed the work, and if there were any warranties.
It is also advisable to inquire about planning permission as well as whether it was granted from the vendor.
If the work was completed without the required planning consent, this could have an impact on your purchase when you purchase the property.
5. Are the sellers able to find an alternative property?
If the homeowners of the home you’d like to purchase still looking for their next home, this could impact how quickly you’re able to relocate yourself.
Knowing how long the chain of ownership will likely to last can help you decide which property is best for you.
6. The number of times the home has sold?
A property that has a lot of various owners in a relatively short space of time could be a red flag.
A lot of owners might indicate a problem with the property, their neighbors, or even the neighborhood.
Ask the estate agent about how long the current owners have lived in the property . Then attempt to determine the length of time prior owners lived there.
7. What’s included in the price?
Even before a first visit it’s helpful to know what other features will be offered with the sale of the property.
Will all fixtures and fittings be staying? Will the sellers take the greenhouse or garden shed with them when they leave?
8. Does the property is connected to the internet via fibre?
Internet connectivity is never so vital, so get what broadband internet speeds are on the house you’re viewing.
Rural homes sometimes suffer from slower speeds, which is due to copper instead of fibre optic cables, so ask the agent about this in case you need a super-fast connection.
9. Are the boilers fully serviced and is it in good condition? How old is it?
Boilers are usually one of the most costly appliances to replace, so it is important to determine how often the boiler in the house you’re interested in has been serviced.
A boiler that is old could be cause for concern therefore, ask the agent about the age of the property’s hot and heating systems.
10. There have been any issues with the neighbours?
Sellers are legally obligated to disclose any disagreements between neighbors, if requested and you should check with your agent to see if there’s been any issues.
The complete checklist for viewing your home
There are numerous things you’ll need to consider when viewing a property to purchase. This checklist can help:
1. Property exterior
What is the property’s general exterior condition?
Are there any major cracks in brickwork, pointing, or render?
What state do you think the render is in?
Are there broken or missing tile on your roof?
Are the chimney’s solid and straight?
What condition are the gutters and downpipes in?
Do the facias look in good shape?
Are the windows wooden or uPVC and what condition can they be found in?
What state is the garden in?
Does the garden function as a useable space?
Does the garden get overlooked by neighbouring homes?
Are there large trees in the garden or in adjacent properties?
Do you see any evidence of the invasive plant species, like Japanese Knotweed?
2. In each room
Are the light fittings and switches in good shape and do they work?
What is the overall style?
What state are carpets and the hard floor in?
Do you see any indications of mould or damp?
Do the walls show any significant cracks?
Are there enough rooms in each? storage?
Do neighbouring homes have direct access to the property?
Do doors and windows have the correct opening and closing?
Are the windows double glazed and in good shape?
Do the radiators work?
Do you have enough plug sockets?
3. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures
Do the taps function and do the basins/sinks drain?
How is the water pressure?
Do hot water faucets get hot enough?
Does the toilet flush, and then refill in a proper manner?
4. Kitchen
How many fixtures, accessories and appliances are included with the property when it’s transferred?
Are the cupboards and drawers in good working order and do they open/close?
Do the taps function and can the sink be drained?
Do built-in appliances all work correctly?
Does your kitchen have enough storage?
Is there enough worktop space to prepare food?
5. Living room
How much light can the living room get?
Does it feel warm and inviting?
Are the walls or ceiling made of textured material?
Does the fireplace work?
Is there enough room for your furniture?
Is there space to install a television?
6. Bedrooms
There is enough space to accommodate the bed of a huge size?
Do you have any built-in storage?
Does the space have enough room to fit a wardrobe or a cabinet of drawers?
Are the blinds or curtains included with the property?
7. General questions
Does the property have off-road parking?
Does it have functioning alarms for fire and burglar?
Is the coverage for mobile phones good inside and outside?
Does the property have development potential?
Can the loft be reached and could it be used as storage?
Is the property situated in a conservation area , or does it belong to a listed structure?
Is the home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?
How busy is the highway at rush hour as well as on weekends?
How reliable are transport links close to you?
Is the property located near facilities like stores?
How good are the schools within the catchment zone?
8. Concerns when purchasing flats
Are the flat leaseholds part of the shared freehold an element of a shared freehold?
What is the remaining time on the lease?
The number of years remaining on your lease affect your prospects of getting a mortgage?
What is the cost of the annual service fee?
Is a rent for ground payable and at what cost?
In charge of the communal areas?
Does the property include a parking space?
Can you hear noise coming from nearby flats?
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