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What To Know When Buying Your First Home

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Buying a house is an investment of a lifetime, therefore it’s essential to know all you can about the house before purchasing it.

Being prepared to ask the right questions at the property’s viewing is an effective way to obtain important information that can enable you to make an informed decision when purchasing.

The length of time the property has been on the market for and the length of time that current sellers have been there are fantastic questions that can provide revealing answers. A property that has been on the market for some time may have some hidden flaws or be a great way of getting a reduced cost. Additionally, neighbours can affect the value of home, so it is important to inquire about their status since you don’t want to regret your move several months later. If the current owner has encountered any issues with their neighbours, they are legally required to disclose it if you inquire.

In this guide, we reveal the 10 most important questions you can inquire of an estate professional.

This checklist of house inspections covers all the important questions you’ll need to ask yourself while looking around what could be your dream home.

What’s the first thing you do when looking at houses?

When viewing a house, the first thing to be thinking about is your initial impressions of the property.

Be there early for your viewing and enjoy a few minutes outside the property, considering things such as:

The sound of neighbouring homes
Traffic on the street
The state of the exterior of the building as well as the roof

What should I search for while walking through a house?

When walking through an area during a showing be sure to look for:

There are signs of damp, such as peeling wallpaper, blistered paint or mould
Subsistence signs, such as cracks in walls or flooring that is sagging
Problems with plumbing, for example lack of pressure in the water
Electrical issues, like exposed wiring or old sockets
Poor quality windows that could reduce the efficiency of energy
No central heating system.
A fresh look in decorating could be hiding a problem

What are the things you should not do when you are looking at houses?

Do not become emotional on a viewing.

Home buying can be a difficult and emotional decision, however, it’s crucial to concentrate on the practical aspects of a property when viewing for the very first time.

Other items to avoid at a property viewing are:

Admitting to the seller’s agent you are the owner of your dream house
Not respecting the property’s decor
In negotiations with the agent
Bring along pets

How many times should I view the house prior to buying it?

You should view a property at least as many times as you think you have to before committing to buying.

Even in a market that is busy that has a lot of buyer activities, you must look at properties at least twice prior to making an offer.

It’s highly likely you’ll be more emotional about the house you’ve just had the pleasure of viewing, meaning you could miss potential issues.

A second, third or even fourth viewing gives the possibility to:

Take a closer look at what is happening to the building
Think about the practical aspects and assess how well it will be beneficial for you.
Invite other family members, friends or even tradespeople to get a second opinion
The property and surrounding area can be viewed at different times of the day
Take measurements, so that you’re certain that you’ll be able to fit your belongings into the house.

Questions to ask before buying a house

There are plenty of questions you should ask the estate agent of the seller at a viewing. These include:

1. Why is the property being for sale?

Knowing why sellers are moving can give you an insight into how quickly they need to move.

Perhaps they’re moving because of work reasons, and they need to be moved to a new area by a certain date.

Or perhaps they’re looking to test the waters by placing their home on the market , and they’re not looking to sell their home in a hurry.

Finding out these reasons will give you an excellent idea of how open the sellers are in response to an offer.

2. How many years has it been since the houses for sale near me came on the market?

A property that’s been on the market for a long time could have a problem or indicate that it’s priced too high.

The sellers may also be more willing to accept making a lower bid when they’ve not been able to sell for several months.

3. Did you receive any offers?

It’s crucial to know the level of interest in any property you’re considering viewing.

If a property has already been offered but been denied, you could encounter increased competition, which means you may have to pay more to secure the property.

If a property been viewed by few people then you might have more time to consider the property and take part in more viewings without the pressure of knowing others are interested as well.

4. What work has been done on the property?

Ask your seller’s estate agent about major renovation work that’s completed, who completed the work and if there are warranties.

Also, you should inquire about planning permission and whether it was granted from the vendor.

If work was undertaken without the needed planning consent and without the required planning consent, it could have an impact on your purchase if you were to purchase the property.

5. Are the sellers able to find an alternative property?

If the homeowners of the residence you’d love to buy are waiting to find their next home, this could influence the speed with which you’re able to move yourself.

Knowing how long the chain of ownership is likely to be can assist you in deciding if the property is right for you.

6. In how many sales has it been

A home that has many different owners in a brief period of time may be a red flag.

Lots of owners could indicate that there is a problem with their property, its neighbours or the area.

Inquire with the estate agent about how the current owners resided in the property , and then seek out the time the previous owners spent there.

7. What’s included with the sale?

Even on a first viewing it’s possible to get an idea what else might be included in the sale to the owner of the home.

Will all fixtures and fittings be kept? Will the sellers be taking the garden shed or greenhouse with them when they move?

8. Does the house have fibre internet access?

It’s never more crucial, so learn details about the broadband speed at the house you’re viewing.

Rural homes sometimes suffer from slower speeds, due copper instead of fiber optic cables. Therefore, ask the agent about this when you’re in need of a super-fast internet connection.

9. Does the boiler have a full service and is it in good condition? How old is it?

Boilers are often one of the most costly appliances to replace, so make sure to determine how often your boiler in the home you’re interested in has been serviced.

An old boiler could also be cause for concern therefore, ask the agent about the age of the home’s hot water and heating systems.

10. Have there been any disputes with the neighbours?

Sellers are legally obliged to report any issues with neighbors when asked by the agent, so make sure to check with your agent to see if there’s been any issues.
A complete checklist of house viewings

There are numerous things you’ll need to consider when you’re looking at homes to purchase. This list can help you:

1. Exterior of the property

What is the property’s general exterior condition like?
Are there any cracks that are significant in the brickwork, pointing or render?
What state is the render in?
Are there any missing or damaged tiles on the roof?
Is the chimney solid and straight?
What state is the guttering and downpipes in?
Do the facias look in good condition?
Are the windows wooden or uPVC and in what state are they in?
What condition is the garden in?
Does the garden function as a useable space?
Is the garden overlooked by neighbouring properties?
Are there trees that are large in your garden? Or in neighbouring properties?
Do you see any evidence of invading plants, like Japanese Knotweed?

2. In every room

Are the switches and light fittings in good condition and do they all work?
What is the general décor?
What condition are carpets and Hard flooring?
Are there any indications of mould or damp?
Do the walls have large cracks?
Do you have enough storage space?
Are neighbouring houses able to have direct line of sight to the property?
Do windows and doors have the correct opening and closing?
Are the windows double glazed and in good condition?
Do the radiators work?
Are there enough plug sockets?

3. Plumbing and bathrooms

Are the taps working and do the basins/sinks drain?
How is the water pressure?
Do hot water faucets heat up sufficiently?
Can the toilets be flushed and fill properly?

4. Kitchen

How many fixtures, accessories, and appliances come with the property when it’s sold?
Are the cabinets and drawers in good condition ? Do they shut or open?
Are the taps working and do the sink drain?
Do the built-in appliances work properly?
Does your kitchen have enough storage?
Is there enough worktop space to cook food?

5. Living room

How much light can the living area get?
Does it feel warm and inviting?
Do the ceilings and walls have texture? are textured?
Does the fireplace work?
Does the space allow for your furniture?
Is there room for a TV?

6. Bedrooms

Do you have enough room for a large bed?
Does the device have built-in storage?
Is the room large enough to accommodate a wardrobe as well as a the chest of drawers?
Are the curtains or blinds part of the property?

7. General questions

Does the property have off-road parking?
Do you have working alarms for fire and burglar?
Are the coverage and coverage for mobile phones sufficient both outside and inside?
Does the property have development potential?
Are the lofts accessible? And could it be used as storage?
Is the property located in a conservation area or is it a listed structure?
Is the home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?
How busy is the road in the morning and on weekends?
How do you rate the accessibility of transport near you?
Is the property located near services like shopping?
How well are the schools in the catchment area?

8. Concerns when purchasing flats

Is the flat leasehold or part of a shared freehold?
What’s the length of time left under the lease?
The number of years remaining on the lease impact your chances of getting a mortgage?
What is the cost of the annual fee for service?
Is a rent for ground payable and at what cost?
The person who is accountable for the communal areas?
Does the property have a parking space?
Do you hear any noises coming from neighboring flats?