Buying a house is something that shouldn’t be rushed into. Whether it’s a forever home, your first step on the property ladder or an enforced move due to personal reasons, it’s essential that you equip yourself with as much information as possible before committing. The easiest way to do this is to ask lots of questions.
We appreciate that for some, estate agents are the kind of people who tell you what you want to hear, avoiding full honesty where possible in the pursuit of commission. At Cairds, we don’t believe that is the best way to keep customers happy or secure a sale. Transparency, honesty and a connection are worth more than taking shortcuts to completion. So, in this blog, we’ve collated many of the questions you should be asking when you buy a house.
What questions to ask when buying a house
Some questions, you may prefer to ask the current owners during a viewing. Others may be best suited to the estate agent.
Why is the house for sale?
In the early stages, before any viewings, if you find a property that takes your fancy, ask the estate agent why it’s up for sale. The owners might need to downsize or upgrade. They might be starting a new job that requires relocation. Knowing this can be useful when you make an offer. If the signs are that the owner needs a quick sale, you might be able to offer a little less. Ask the estate agent first, but feel free to ask the current owner when viewing the property.
How long has the property been on the market?
Sometimes, houses can sit on the market for months because the demand just isn’t there. Other times, there is a problem with the property that has turned buyers away. Ask the estate agent how long it’s been on the market and what the interest has been like. A survey may have raised some issues, but the property could also be overpriced, with buyers put off by the cost. If the home has been on the market for more than three months, ask the agent if anything in particular has stood out as a reason for it not selling.
What is the local area like?
It’s always better to have an idea of the neighbourhood before you move into it. Ask the estate agent what the schools are like, what the crime rate is like, and if there are shops, public transport links and green spaces nearby. Some agents may hype up the good points of the area and skirt over the bad. Ask the owner for their opinion when you go for a viewing and conduct some independent research to give yourself a clearer picture.
How energy efficient is the home, and what are the bills like?
The cost of living is a huge drain on many of us, so it always pays to have an idea of what you’ll be paying for utilities and council tax. The owner should have an EPC that gives an energy efficiency rating for the home, as well as a rough idea of what your bills may cost. Ask about the council tax too. If you are moving to a new area, a Band C property in your new town or city could cost considerably more than a Band C where you live now. You can ask the agent these questions, but the owner should be able to help with more accurate information about their monthly outgoings for council tax and utilities.
Is the property freehold or leasehold?
This should already be documented on the listing, but if you’ve missed it or it wasn’t there, find out! Buying a leasehold property can be expensive. In addition to your mortgage, you’ll have service charges to pay for and possibly a lease renewal at some point. Furthermore, the conveyancing costs for a leasehold property are higher than they are for a freehold.
Has an offer been made on the property yet?
You should ask the estate agent, they’ll tell you, but not how much was offered. You might get a few hints as to the area the offer was in, and this can then be used to your advantage to decide what kind of offer you could make.
Are there any restrictive covenants in place?
You may have grand plans to transform the property, but a restrictive covenant can soon stop them. With such covenants in place, extensions, for example, may be forbidden. Ask the estate agent before you make an offer.
Are there any outstanding maintenance issues?
There might be a leaking gutter, a damaged window or something much more significant. The survey will uncover major issues and give a clearer understanding of any problems. Ask about issues at all levels; even small jobs can cost lots to rectify, and these are expenses you’d prefer to avoid. If there are no outstanding maintenance jobs, ask about the history of repairs and maintenance to establish if there are frequent issues.
Are there any nearby development works in the pipeline?
The property may be in a great area, but there may be plans to build more houses, close roads, or add hotels, shops, music venues or other facilities nearby. This could change the aesthetic, safety, noise levels, and more of your potential new neighbourhood. Moving in and finding, within a few months, that everything has changed could make you want to sell quickly!
What is the seller including in the sale?
Often, the seller is more than happy to leave behind a selection of items. Some useful, some not so useful. They may opt to leave white goods, they might leave the garden shed and nothing more! Having a clearer idea will help you know exactly what else you need to furnish the property with.
How old is the boiler?
Boiler repairs or replacement can be expensive. Find out when the boiler was last serviced and how long it has been in place. Ask the homeowner if the service has been annual and whether any issues have been found with the boiler.
What are the schools like?
If you are moving with children, enquire about the local schools. Do some research to find the latest Ofsted results and general impressions of the schools and ask the homeowners and estate agents what they know. It would also be a good idea to find out how accessible the schools are from the property.
Are there any legal issues relating to the property pending?
You should definitely ask the estate agent if there are any legal disputes currently being worked through. Some matters could affect your ownership rights after the sale is concluded, so it’s essential to have all these issues clarified and resolved before you proceed.
Are there any noisy or disruptive neighbours?
Neighbour disputes can really harm the enjoyment of your new home. Ask both the estate agent and the owners if there have been any issues. If complaints have been raised in the past, they must be disclosed on the TA6 form, but this comes when you are much closer to finalising the purchase, so an early discovery of this information is key.
Have any property renovations been completed with the appropriate consent?
If an extension has been added or the property has had any significant changes, planning permission may have been required. Some homeowners skip this, thinking it won’t matter. It might not matter to them in the future, but years later, a review by local authorities may deem the renovation illegal and demand that it be pulled down. Considering an extension can add a significant amount to a house price, you’ll have paid a premium for a house, only to end up paying further fees to have the one thing that drove the value up, taken down.
How is the water, electricity, gas and broadband?
You’ll be paying for these services monthly, so you’ll want to know you are getting value for money and that everything works as it should. Ask about water pressure (perhaps even try out the taps and flush on viewing!) Ask about broadband service and who the optimal providers are for the area. Then don’t forget electricity and gas. Whilst the energy and water supply should be fine, you’ll want to know who the current suppliers are, whether there have been any issues, and where the meters are.
These are among the most common questions you should be asking your estate agent or the homeowner. If you are looking at houses for sale in Epsom and the surrounding areas, speak to our team. At Cairds, we pride ourselves on being independent estate agents in Epsom that remain committed to honesty and transparency. Contact us today to learn more about the homes we have for sale.