I am told that
the moment you cross the threshold you will know there and then property you
are viewing is the one for you.
That sixth sense!
Allowing your
heart to rule you head can however present a danger.
As your
solicitors we will be able to check and advise on the legal issues but will
find it far more difficult to advise on the suitability of the property as a
home. Nor will we be able to advise on issues relating to the state and
condition of the property or on matters relating to the local environment and
amenities. It is therefore very
important to do your homework and to make sure your solicitor is fully
appraised of all relevant matters when if comes to providing instructions. Remember that in most cases your
solicitor will not have visited the property.
So here are some
tips:
To begin with
always visit the property at least once during the day and once in the
evening. The seller will
normally wish to give you a ‘guided tour’. Resist this and ask if you can spend
some time looking on your own.
Move the furniture around if you can, as it would not be the first time
a seller has moved a sofa to hide a damp patch! Be extra cautious if the house
has been recently painted as it could be masking serious problems.
Visit the house
on a rainy day to check for leaky roofs, walls or ceilings.
When viewing a
property, determine how busy the road is, and whether there is any disturbance
from flight paths.
Take a look at
the crime rate for the postcode by visiting www.crimerates.co.uk/
If the standard
of local schools is of importance you can find the latest Ofsted inspection
report rating here: www.locrating.com/
Ask why the
seller is selling especially if the seller has only owned the property for a
short time. Ask them about the neighbours. Look out for knowing glances,
avoiding eye contact or mumbling when they answer. And remember that if vendors
have made a formal complaint of any kind about a neighbour, it is illegal for
them not to tell you
Take a look
around the surrounding area and check out the local amenities. Walk rather than drive, as you will see
more. Look at whether the streets are clean and litter-free, whether there is
graffiti sprayed around, and whether gangs are hanging about; also establish if
there's noise or light pollution from nearby businesses or immediate area.
If public transport is important check the
location of the local bus/train station and timings of buses/trains by visiting:
www.transportdirect.info
If the seller is
a smoker, the smell may end up lingering in the home. You may also have to pay
a hefty sum to cover the cost of cleaning and repairing the smoke damage.
Similarly, you
may want to think twice before signing up to a property if the people selling
it are pet owners, as it may be extremely difficult to remove all traces of the
smell of dogs, cats or other animals.
Ask the seller
who is responsible for maintaining the boundaries and if there has been any
disputes, talk to the neighbours and see what they say, look out for any
unusual characteristics and make sure you let your solicitor know if there are
any.
Check with the
local planning department to see if there are planning applications in place
that could if granted affect the value of the property and or your enjoyment of
the property as a home.
Check your
mobile phone reception and broadband speeds within the home. The following
website shows some of slowest areas in the country: http://on-msn.com/VwkVWd
If you are
buying a flat speak to the other tenants and if there is a Residents
Association establish contact and inquire about the Managing Agents and
Landlord to see if they can be relied upon and whether there have been any
problems.
Ask the seller
whether there has been any flooding, whether the seller has had to make any
insurance claims, whether there has been any underpinning or problems with dry
rot, rising damp and or beetle or other insect infestation.
Take a look at
the heating/central heating, hot water heater, drainage and other major
systems. These installations can be costly if they are left in disrepair for
too long.
Turn the taps on
in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry to check the water pressure, performance
and drainage. Check for dirty water.
Are there major cracks
in the walls or do the doors stick? This can be a sign of subsidence. This can
be an extremely expensive problem to fix and is usually not covered by house
insurance.
Measure spaces
in kitchens and utility rooms to make sure your appliances such as
refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and microwaves fit. Failure to fit
could add to the cost of buying in
terms of replacements.
I always advise
that despite how short of money you may be do not look to make a saving by
dismissing the idea of a survey. However well you look and inspect you will not
be able to see everything and by investing in a survey you will find out so
much more about the property and those who commission a survey are able to
negotiate a reduction in the purchase price of around £2000.
Compare home prices in your area to make
sure you are paying no more than market value.
Negotiate on the price. If it is a buyers'
market, you will be in a position to drive a hard bargain.
So as can be seen while you may think
you've found your dream home, the key is to make sure you do your research to
explore if there are any issues that might deter you from proceeding further.
This means asking the right questions during your viewings, and looking for the
all-important details.
Good luck!
Morgan Jones and Pett are solicitors who provide legal advice and services to clients based in England and Wales and who can be contacted on 01603877000 or via email at davidpett@m-j-p.co.uk
