One of the biggest financial commitments that many of us will have in our lifetime is purchasing a property. The hunt for your dream home is exciting, but it is important to stay practical and not get carried away. It is normal to get caught up in the moment when viewing a house and forget to look out for some important signs and ask key questions. These are 6 things you need to make sure you know before making the leap, to save yourself from getting stuck with a whole load of problems in the future.
How long has the house been on the market?
This is one of the most important questions to ask, it will give you an early indication on how desirable the property is, if there are any underlying problems, and if the asking price is right. A house that has been on the market for a long time, most likely has an issue that is putting other potential buyers off. If a property has been on the market for over 6 months, it could be a red flag, so be careful of the price, location and possible structural issues.
Has the house recently had any major building work?
You should always have a full structural survey done on any property you are considering purchasing, and it is always worth finding out if there has been any recent building work completed. Ask if there was a particular reason for the work and will it impact the property in the future?
Is the property prone to damp or woodworm?
Damp and woodworm are common problems that affect a lot of homes and can be caused by many issues. It isn’t the end of the world if a property you are considering buying has damp or woodworm, but it is essential that you are aware of it before you make any final decisions. There are plenty of options out there for treating woodworm and damp, so if a house you like has these problems, reach out to a specialist to find out more about how to fix them.
Is it a listed property?
If a house is a listed property, it can have a significant effect on your future plans. If you are planning on making some large structural renovations, then you want to make sure the building is not listed. This will be answered in any surveys you take out on the property, but you can also ask your estate agent, so you have all the necessary information that you need before making a big decision. If you are looking at doing work to a listed building, check out this guide.
Does the area have any issues?
The last thing you want to do is find your dream home, sign all the paperwork, only to discover later that the area has a huge congestion problem, is unsafe, or street parking is a nightmare. Be sure to thoroughly investigate an area before committing to anything. Try driving to the house in rush hour, ask neighbours for their honest opinions on the area, and try to find out is subsidence has ever been an issue in that location.
Is there room for negotiation?
There is a range of reasons you can haggle on the asking price, maybe the owners have found their new property and want a quick sale, or perhaps the house has been on the market for some time with little interest. When it is time to put your offer in, don’t be scared to barter a little. Visit this website for more information on negotiating a house price.
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