Buying a home is a big decision and a large investment, so you want to make sure you’re making the right choice. Even if a house seems perfect on the surface, you could encounter problems down the line if you don’t ask the right questions.
It can be easy to get swept up in your emotions when looking for your dream home, but it’s important that you keep a level head and focus on practicalities. To help you do this, here are some of the questions that it pays to ask estate agents when viewing a property.
How long has it been on the market?
Knowing how long a property has been on the market will give you an indication of its desirability. If it has been on the market for several months and hasn’t yet sold, it could mean that it is priced too high, there is an issue that isn’t immediately obvious or it isn’t in the best area.
You should also ask if there have been many offers as this will provide you with some more insights. After all, if it has attracted offers but not sold, it shows the property has desirability but that it may be priced too high, in which case you may want to find out if the owners are likely to drop the asking price.
What is the reason for the sale?
Understanding what position the seller is in can help you strengthen your position as a buyer. Do they need to sell the property quickly? Have they already found their new home? Knowing why they are selling can tell you a lot about what the seller is looking for and how fast they are hoping to move.
It can feel a bit like your prying asking questions like this but this is information you are allowed to know and that can really help you as a buyer ensure you’re in the best position.
What are the neighbours like?
Moving into a new home doesn’t just mean you have to get used to a new property, you also have to deal with new neighbours. You want to make sure you’ll be happy in the property and your neighbours can have a big impact on that.
It’s worth finding out if they’re friendly, quiet, the age bracket they are in and if their home is well looked after. You might also want to check if they own the property or if they’re renting. This can tell you if you’ll have the same neighbours for a while, as rental properties may go through several tenants in a few years.
Finding out more about the neighbours can help you avoid any issues later on.
What is the area like?
If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s worth finding out more about it. Knowing whether it’s quiet, if there are good transport links, what the traffic is like, whether parking is an issue, what the schools are like and anything else that you want to know.
While it’s always a good idea to do some research yourself into the area as well, your estate agent may be able to provide more details. You may also want to visit the property at different times during the day and week to get a better picture of the area.
What are the owners planning on leaving at the property?
Not everything you see is going to come with the property, so it’s a good idea to find out exactly what the current owners are planning on leaving when they sell. This can help you plan purchases better – such as white goods if they don’t come with the house – and avoid disappointment if something isn’t left that you liked.
In some cases, the sellers may be happy that they don’t have to deal with getting rid of things that they don’t want to take with them, so it’s definitely worth asking. If you’re buying a larger property or your first home, this can also help reduce the upfront costs of furnishing it.
Have the owners had any building works carried out?
Understanding if any works have been carried out and why they were done can give you valuable insights and highlight any potential problem areas. If they had an extension done purely to add space, this is likely to be beneficial. However, if they had decking added to the garden because it gets waterlogged, this could be a problem.
While getting a survey done is always the best course of action, checking what work has been done and why could provide enough of a warning and save you time and money.
Will the owners consider any offers?
Knowing what the situation is with the price is important and all the above information can help you decide on your offer. It’s a good idea to check if the owners are willing to negotiate on the asking price, especially as the seller’s situation could have changed since the asking price was set.
The property could have been on the market for a while with minimal offers, the owners could have found their property and want a quick sale or they may simply be happy to accept a lower price. You never know until you ask, so the question is a good one.
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