Even if you’ve bought a house before, chances are that it’s been a few years since you last moved, so you might be a little rusty on knowing what questions to ask. With the average first viewing time being less than 30 minutes, you need to make sure you use that time wisely, to decide if the house is worth a second look.
We want to help you get it right, so here’s some key questions you can ask that’ll help you find out some of the practical information you’ll need to make up your mind.
How long has the house been up for sale?
If it’s been on the market for several weeks or more, there may be a reason. Have other potential buyers spotted something you haven’t? It’s better to find out now than further down the line when you’ve invested time and money.
How much interest has there been / has there been many viewings so far?
Don’t beat about the bush; if you think this house could be the one for you, find out how stiff the competition is. If you’re viewing at a popular time such as weekend, other people viewing before/after you are a good indicator of interest. It may also be worth asking the estate agent if the seller has had any offers so far (although they may not be in a position to disclose the amounts).
How long has the seller lived there?
A quick move could be a sign of issues - if the seller hasn’t lived there long, it would be useful to ask why. They may have a perfectly reasonable explanation – moving in with a partner, need to downsize / upsize, be closer to work etc. but the reason could be something that a buyer would find off putting. If it’s due to a dispute with neighbours, the seller is legally obliged to disclose this.
Has the seller found somewhere else to move to?
The estate agent may be able to tell you this in advance, I If not, it’s fine to ask the seller directly, as you need to manage your expectations and those of anybody in your property chain. Are they buying another property, have they found one yet? If so, are they in a chain? What’s the timescale for them to move?
If it looks as if the seller hasn’t found another home, or are in a slow moving chain (for example, if they’re buying a new build property that’s still under construction), you may want to ask if they’d be willing to consider taking any measures to keep the chain moving. For instance, moving in with family or into short-term rental accommodation. If you don’t feel comfortable asking the question yourself, ask the estate agent to discuss this with them.
Has the house had any major renovations done?
This could be an extension, loft/basement conversion, conservatory or even knocking down walls to change the layout of the home. If the work is recent, the seller should have guarantees or invoices to confirm what has been done and that planning permission was granted where necessary. The last thing you want is to find out that work wasn’t completed properly and may need to be torn down.
Keep your eyes peeled for smaller tell-tale signs that there may be problems with the building – cracks, damp patches (or fresh paint trying to hide them) or any musty smells.
You can commission a survey on the property once you’ve agreed to buy it. However, it’s better to catch any potential problems as early as possible so that you don’t waste money on a house that may not be right for you.
Is the property listed or in a conservation area?
If the house falls into either of these categories, there could be restrictions on making any changes. You may be able to find this information out before you view; the agent may mention it in their listing, or the local authority might be able to tell you. A survey will reveal both of these things but the earlier you can find out, the better.
If you’re viewing a flat, you’ll also need to ask whether it’s leasehold or freehold (this is usually stated in the agent’s property listing). If the flat is leasehold, you’ll need to find out how long is left on the lease, if it’s possible to buy the freehold and if there’s a service charge. A short lease reduces the value of a property so you'd need to extend when you come to re-sell, and a service charge will need to be factored into your monthly bills.
What are the connections like?
Check for this in two ways. Firstly, broadband and mobile signal - you don’t want to move in and find that you can only make calls from the end of the garden or can only get online comfortably at a set time each day.
Secondly, check the plumbing / water pressure - is there a decent stream of water coming out of the shower / taps or not much more than a trickle? Check the taps for yourself as you’re walking around. Ask about the plumbing or any works carried out in the area. Take a look at the boiler to find out its age and how often it’s been serviced. If anything is old or not working well, you’ll need to factor this in to either the amount you’d like to offer or monthly running costs.
How much are the bills?
It’s not just the mortgage you’ll be paying for, so it’s important to get an idea of how much the things will cost on a month-to-month basis. The seller should be able to provide a rough idea as to how much things like council tax and utility bills will be, so you can decide if these are affordable for you.
What’s included in the sale?
You may spot a garden shed, greenhouse or fancy light fixtures as you’re walking around, but that doesn’t mean that the seller will be leaving them behind when they move. Ask the seller to point out any fixtures, fittings or large-scale items that they’re planning to leave for the new owner so you know exactly where you stand.
What’s the area like?
It’s important to know if the surrounding area has everything to suit your lifestyle – whether that’s good schools, local shops, good public transport links etc. Make sure you find out about other key concerns too, such as the crime rate or if there’s any significant noise.
We recommend you do a bit of your own research too, especially if you’re not 100% familiar with the area – if you can, visit the area at different times / days to get a feel for how busy it is, what kinds of people live there, what the parking is like etc. Local authority and police websites can provide additional information about current activity such as crime, building and maintenance works.
As the saying goes - a property can be renovated, but it can’t be moved!
Mortgage advice from local experts
Our mortgage advisers in Doncaster can work with you to find the right mortgage for your new home. They can search from a panel of over 90 lenders and thousands of different mortgages to find one that suits your circumstances and needs.
To book a free, initial no obligation appointment with an adviser, give us a call on 01302 798573 or send us an e mail.
Say hell to our mortgage adviser in Doncaster