Property Questions 101

The purchase of a home is a huge investment, so it’s important to find out as much as you can about a house before you buy it.

Afflicting the appropriate questions during the day of a property inspection can be an effective method to gain key information that will assist you in making an informed decision on buying.

The length of time the property has been on the market for and how long the current owners have resided there for are great questions to get revealing answers. A house that’s been on the market for a while may have an undiscovered negative, or be an excellent opportunity to get a lower cost. Additionally, neighbours can affect the value of a home so remember to ask about their lives and you don’t want to regret moving after a few months. If the current owner has faced any problems with their neighbours, they are legally required to inform you when you ask.

In this article we present the top 10 most important things to inquire of an estate professional.

This checklist of house inspections explains all the questions you’ll need to ask yourself while looking around the possibilities of your dream houses for sale near me.

What is the first step to take when you are looking at an apartment?

If you are looking at a home, the first thing you must take note of your first impression of the house.

Make sure you arrive early for your viewing and spend some time outside the property, thinking about things like:

Noises from neighboring homes
Street traffic
The state of the exterior of the building including the roof

What should I be looking for while walking through a house?

When you visit an area during a showing, you should look out for:

The signs of damp include cracking paint, peeling wallpaper or the appearance of mould
Evidence of subsidence include cracks in walls or flooring that is sagging
The plumbing issues can be as simple as inadequate pressure on the water
Electrical issues, for example, the wiring being exposed or the old-fashioned sockets
Window materials of poor quality could reduce energy efficiency
There is no central heating system.
New decor that may be hiding a problem

What is the most important thing to avoid when viewing a house?

Don’t become over emotional when you watch a show.

A home purchase is an emotional process, but it’s important to focus on the practical aspects of a property you’re considering viewing for your first time.

Other things to stay clear of during a viewing of a property include:

Informing the seller’s agent that the property is your dream home
Refusing to respect the property or its decor
Negotiating on price with the agent
Pets can be brought along

How many times should I look at houses before I buy one?

You should view a property multiple times as often as you’d like to prior to deciding to purchase.

Even in a busy market that has a lot of buyer activities, you must look at the property at least two times before making an offer.

It’s likely that you’ll be more emotional about an item on the first visit, which means you may miss any potential issues.

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

Examine the condition of the property
Consider the practical elements and assess how well it will benefit you.
Have other family members or tradespeople for another opinion
Explore the area and property at different time of the day.
Be sure to measure up, so you can be sure your things will fit in the space.

Questions to ask when buying a home

There are a whole host of questions you should ask the seller’s estate agent during a viewing, such as:

1. What is the reason why the property is being transferred?

Understanding the reasons why sellers are moving will give you an idea of the time they’ll need to relocate.

Perhaps they’re moving for work reasons and require to be relocated to a different area on a particular date.

Or perhaps they’re taking a test by putting their house on the market and aren’t in any hurry to sell.

The reasons you can find out will give you an excellent idea of how open the sellers may be towards an offer.

2. How long have they had it since it came on the market?

A property that’s been listed for a lengthy period could be a sign of trouble or it’s priced too high.

The sellers could also be more willing to accept accepting a lower price when they’ve not been able to sell for months.

3. Do you know of any deals?

It’s vital to determine how much interest there is in any property you’re considering viewing.

If a property has already had offers but been rejected, you may encounter increased competition, which means you may have to pay more to secure the property.

If the property you are considering had little interest, you may have more time to contemplate the property and take part in more viewings with no pressure to know there are others interested also.

4. What work has been done in the area?

Ask the estate agent representing your seller about major renovations that’ve been completed, who has completed the work, and whether there are any guarantees.

Also, you should inquire about planning permission as well as whether it was properly obtained from the vendor.

If the work was done without the necessary planning permission, this could have major consequences for you in the event that you decide to purchase the property.

5. Have the sellers found another property?

If the sellers of a home you’d like to purchase in the process of finding their next home, this can influence the speed with which you’re able to move yourself.

Finding out how long the property chain will likely to last can assist you in deciding which property is best for you.

6. The number of times the home has sold?

A home that has many different owners in a short amount of time could be a red flag.

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

Contact the estate agents to inquire about how long the current owners have lived in the property and attempt to determine how long the previously owned by the property’s owners.

7. What’s included with the sale?

Even before a first visit, it can be helpful to know what else will come with the selling of the property.

Will all fixtures and fittings be staying? Are the sellers planning to take the greenhouse or garden shed with them when they sell?

8. Does the property has fibre-optic internet?

Connectivity has never been more vital, so get more about broadband speeds in the home you’re looking at.

Rural homes can experience slower speeds, due to copper, not fibre optic cables, so talk to your provider if you require super-fast connection.

9. Does the boiler have a full service and how old is it?

Boilers can be one of the most expensive appliances to replace, so try to determine the frequency your boiler in the home you’re interested in has been serviced.

A boiler that is old could be a reason to be concerned, inquire with the agent regarding the age of the home’s hot and heating systems, too.

10. There have been any issues about the neighbours?

Sellers are legally obliged to report any issues with neighbors when asked by the agent, so make sure to inquire from the agent whether there are any concerns.
A complete checklist of house viewings

There are a lot of factors you need to think about when viewing a property to buy and this checklist will help:

1. Property exterior

What is the general exterior condition like?
Are there major cracks in your brickwork, point, or render?
What state is the render in?
Are there any broken or missing tile on your roof?
Are the chimney’s walls solid and straight?
How is the condition of the guttering and downpipes in?
Do the facias look good?
Are the windows wooden or uPVC and in what state can they be found in?
In what condition is the garden in?
Can the garden be used as a space that can be used
Does the garden get overlooked by neighbouring homes?
Are there trees that are large in the garden or in adjacent properties?
Are there any indications of an invasive plant, such as Japanese Knotweed?

2. In each room

Are switches and light fittings in good shape and do they all work?
What is the general style?
What state are carpets and hard flooring in?
Are there any signs of damp or mould?
Do the walls have any major cracks?
Does each space have enough storage?
Can neighboring homes have direct line of sight into the property?
Do doors and windows are properly closed and opened?
Are the windows double-glazed and in good condition?
Are the radiators working?
Are there enough plug sockets?

3. Plumbing and bathrooms

Do the taps function and the basins/sinks drain?
What is the water pressure?
Do the hot water faucets get hot enough?
Can the toilets be flushed and replenish correctly?

4. Kitchen

What fittings, fixtures, and appliances come with the property after it’s transferred?
Are the drawers and cupboards in good condition and do they close and open?
Do the taps work and does the sink drain?
Do the built-in appliances function properly?
Does your kitchen have enough storage space?
Do you have enough space on your worktop to prepare food?

5. Living room

How much light do the living room get?
Does it feel warm and inviting?
Are the walls or ceiling textured?
Does the fireplace work?
Does the space allow for your furniture?
Is there room for a television?

6. Bedrooms

Is there enough space for an extra bed?
Are there built-in storage facilities?
Is the space big enough for a wardrobe and chest of drawers?
Are the blinds or curtains are included in the property?

7. General questions

Does the property include off-road parking?
Does it have functioning burglar and fire alarms?
Is the mobile phone coverage good inside and outside?
Is the property a development potential?
Are the lofts accessible? And could it be used as storage?
Is the property situated in a conservation area , or could it be a listed building?
How is your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?
How busy is the highway at rush hour and at weekends?
What are the best transport connections in the vicinity?
Does the property have access to amenities like shops?
How good are the schools within the catchment zone?

8. Concerns when purchasing flats

Is the flat leasehold part of a shared leasehold?
What is the remaining time by the lease?
Could the number of years remaining on the lease affect your prospects of getting a mortgage?
What is the cost of the annual service fee?
Is a ground rent payable and what is the amount?
In charge of communal areas?
Does the property come with parking?
Are you able to hear the noise of neighboring flats?