Viewing a house - what to ask and look for

HH62

[quote=RetroBob;18566001

Something older (70s, 80s, 90s) is fine provided it's energy efficient.[/quote]


My current home is late '70's. It wasn't energy efficient - hadn't been udpated at all since it was built. So you may have to budget for this yourself, and of course take it into account when you make your offer.
I put in new double glazing, roof insulation, new central heating. All of this costs, of course, but now it's fairly good on efficiency. I'm one of those people who is always cold, and I've been fine this winter. Having said that my gas bill is going to be about £60 a month for this winter. But I'm home all day every day and it's on pretty high. I was living in a much smaller Edwardian semi this time last year and the gas bill was £100 a month. That was before the increases!
But this week, when all the other houses on my side of the road had no snow on the roof the other day, mine still had a nice layer, so I reckon the roof insulation is doing a good job.

I tend to agree with the people who say you'll 'fall' for the right house. I've bought and sold 8 houses in the past 20 years and never regretted buying any of them. Only sold them to move up the ladder or to fund a divorce. :eek:
With each of them it was a feeling that it was the 'right' house for me - even though they all needed something doing to them. No house will ever be perfect but it just feels good to you.
Ignore the above advice if you're buying to make a profit, though. :cool:

jo1967

It is worth checking if there is a service / maintenance charge due.

There are alot of RAF bases sold off now - good solid houses, lots of space etc but the area will not be maintained by the council & the residents will be responsible for grass cutting, bushes etc.

In some cases the properties are responsible for drains (my company deals with one old RAF base whose pipes are not yet up to the water boards standards - they wont adopt until done, same for the roads, a reserve fund has had to be set up in case of problems).

The same goes to houses built on private land, gated communities and of course flats.

Ask who the managing agents are and get details or charges, expense, minutes of the last AGM etc.

Swipe

RetroBob wrote: »

What does poor condition double glazing look like?

Condensation between the panes (blown seal) or discolouration of the plastic frames

barnaby-bear

RetroBob wrote: »

What does poor condition double glazing look like?
What's and RCD?

dodgy looking seals, wood at the top of the windows under the lintels (bodge job), evidence of lack of lintels, blown (slightly cloudy units), floppy handles - double glazing can last less than 20 years if cheap and it's a pain to replace...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device
basically crcuit breakers and modern looking rather than fuses

poppysarah

RetroBob wrote: »

What does poor condition double glazing look like?
What's and RCD?

Double glazing has changed specs over the years. The new stuff has a wider gap.
Plus if it's misty inside it's knackered and you need new glass bits putting in - they are only 100+ each though depending on how big they are.

RCD - trip switches that go when you plug something faulty in.
http://www.homewiringguide.com/userimages/split_way_consumer_unit_1.jpg
This is a modern electric consumer unit

This is an old one
http://www.teagueelectrical.co.uk/USERIMAGES/old%20fuse%20box(1).jpg

barnaby-bear

poppysarah wrote: »

Double glazing has changed specs over the years. The new stuff has a wider gap.
Plus if it's misty inside it's knackered and you need new glass bits putting in - they are only 100+ each though depending on how big they are.

RCD - trip switches that go when you plug something faulty in.
http://www.homewiringguide.com/userimages/split_way_consumer_unit_1.jpg
This is a modern electric consumer unit

This is an old one
http://www.teagueelectrical.co.uk/USERIMAGES/old%20fuse%20box(1).jpg

Useful note the old one has only six - once you tot up your circuits / cooker etc you may have no free ... they aren't dangerous the RCD will protect the house from burning down more but changing old style fuses is a bit fiddlier and generally limited to what you can add..... plus future buyers less likely to like the old style...