You should put careful thought into every house you view as a buyer.
It could be your home for the next few decades. Or you might want to cross it off your list completely.
Asking the right questions helps you understand which properties are worth considering.
Read on for essential questions to ask.
Why are the owners selling?
This can reveal details that’ll be useful in your negotiations.
Perhaps the current owners are on a tight schedule. Or the property has other problems.
Scenarios like these can strengthen your negotiating position.
How long has it been on the market for?
You should be wary of any property that’s been listed on the market for over 6 months.
Even if the market is inactive, there’s likely to be something wrong with the house that explains this lack of movement.
Common reasons could be the asking price is too high, or defects revealed in a survey.
The local area is undesirable is another explanation, along with an inefficient estate agent.
It’s worth asking the estate agent for their opinion on why the property’s been listed for so long. But they won’t always be honest.
Are there any offers on this property?
You should get information about any other people interested in the house.
Don’t ask about how many viewings they’ve hosted, as this doesn’t always translate into genuine interest.
Instead, ask about offers that’ve been submitted. And whether the owner is already negotiating with other buyers.
Be aware that some estate agents bend the truth on this subject.
They might convince you that there’s dozens of people placing offers, when this isn’t accurate. Trust your gut instinct and don’t be pressured into a bid, as you may regret it.
Is it freehold or leasehold?
You often know where your home is a freehold or leasehold before you arrive to view a property. But if you’re still unsure, make sure to ask your estate agent.
This should include follow-up questions about service charge and ground rent. Lease length and the relationship with the freeholder is also important.
If it’s a freehold, you don’t need to worry about the above details.
But if you’re looking at a leasehold, these factors can ‘make or break’ your decision. You’ll also need to amend your budget if the annual fees are high.
What’s the square footage?
Once again, this may be included in the property’s online listing. But if it’s not, make sure to get this detail from the estate agent.
You’ll be able to compare this number with similar properties in the area. Living space is essential, especially if you plan to have children.
What are the neighbours like?
Neighbours can have a big impact on your experience living in a house.
This is especially important if properties are close together, such as terraced houses or flats.
You should be wary of a history of disputes or loud noises from neighbours during your viewing. A neighbouring property in terrible condition is also a red flag.
Don’t put total trust in your estate agent’s response.
If they’re evasive, treat it as a major warning sign. Your solicitor could find registered neighbour’s disputes during their searches.
What are the nearby schools like?
Some people care about this detail more than others. If you don’t have any children, and aren’t planning to, it could be irrelevant.
But if you’ve got young children or are planning to, it’s a crucial detail.
Plenty of parents base their entire moving decisions on this single question.
Which local amenities are in the area?
Your life becomes much easier when you live close to essential amenities. Ask your estate agents about parks, public transport, and the local high street.
You may also want to know about a nearby gym, hospital, and/or library.
Some of these could be a huge part of your daily routine.
Remember that lots of local amenities can sometimes translate into higher council tax.
Are any items included in the sale?
When you view a house, there could be certain items that catch your eye.
Common examples include:
- Furniture
- Appliances
- An ornament in the garden.
It’s worth asking your estate agent whether something you like could be included in the negotiation.
It’s unlikely they’ll have the answer right away – but they can contact the homeowner to find out.
Just keep in mind that you may need to pay more if the item is particularly expensive.
Has any work been done on the house?
Major developments can give you a headache without the necessary permissions.
You should ask about any extensions so your solicitor can then research whether these were all completed legally.
It can also give you insight into future changes you might want to make.
If no extensions have occurred because the council has blocked it, you’ll probably face this challenge too.
How is the mobile and internet connectivity?
This is a crucial detail in the modern day, especially with so many people working from home.
You can’t afford to be missing phone calls while working at home. Your estate agent is unlikely to have the answer to this question.
But you can also check your own mobile while you’re at the house. And ask the estate agent to pose this question to the owner, so you get an official response.
Is the seller part of a chain?
You may find this useful when comparing the house to other ones that you view. A chain-free buyer is more likely to move quickly. This is extremely helpful if you’re in a rush.
There’s little you can do when a seller belongs to a chain. But it’s worth finding out the status of their next move, if you can.
And when you’re weighing up two properties, a chain-free house may be your preference.
What is the surrounding area like?
You have partially covered this by asking about local amenities and schools. But the atmosphere of an area is made up by much more than that!
To start with, it’s useful to know about average selling times and house prices. You should also find out if the area is listed, as this can influence extensions on to the property.
Has any renovation been carried out?
This is useful for you to know, especially with details of how recently it was done. You may want to re-do outdated rooms, where appropriate.
And poorly done renovations can sometimes bring extra headaches, such as:
- Poor heating
- A lack of functionality.
You’ll have a better chance of spotting these when you know what you’re dealing with.
