Questions to ask during Viewing

abinanthanb

Me and my DH are FTBs, found a house to be of our liking on our first viewing. Honestly we didnt know what to ask and what to look for. I understand home buyer's report and Valuation report will give professional views on the house. But before making an official step forward, what should we check out on a house by ourselves?

The Estate Agent volunteered for a second viewing today evening. Any tips will be appreciated very much.

Note: Its a owner occupied, 3 bed semi detached house with all 3 bedrooms and bathroom & Ensuite on first floor. The property is extended by the owner himself on the sides to make room for bigger living room and extra bedroom (before extension it was a 2 bed semi). Ground floor is wooden flooring and first floor is carpeted. Garden has a raised deck and some grass area too.

abinanthanb

bump

Could anyone with experience in buying a house reply please? It will be a great help.

Many thanks

tek-monkey

Do you like it? Thats my main criteria! Check stuff like radiators (some places I saw had really bad CH setups), room layouts, rear access. I dunno, look at what you want from a house and see if it matches?

abinanthanb

tek-monkey wrote: »

Do you like it? Thats my main criteria! Check stuff like radiators (some places I saw had really bad CH setups), room layouts, rear access. I dunno, look at what you want from a house and see if it matches?

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, we like the house. It fulfills our expectations interms of space and locality.

Treacle44

Well we made sure we looked around every room in detail, looking for cracks and staining to the ceiling. Plus had a look round seals of windows and at brickwork outside as much as could.

Questions we asked were:

1. Why are you moving?
2. What are the neighbours like?
3. What appliances etc are included?
4. Have you found somewhere.

OK they may not be honest but I think you have any idea when someone is lying to you when they falter when answering.

HTH a bit

Surbybird

My advice would be to go and view the house during the day, in the evening and at the weekend. If it is nearby, drive past at different times and see what it is like for traffic and parking etc. Areas vary according to the time of day and the house you love in the quiet street may turn into something very different at school run times or after dark and at the weekend (found that one out to my cost!).

Also ask when things were fitted/installed like double-glazing and central heating, ask what the neighbours are like and why the current owners are moving (if you haven't already asked).

Good luck!

K

abinanthanb

I think the Seller himself spoke about most of the points suggested here. Still some good suggestions given, thanks people. My DH asked me to write down the reasons why I wont buy this house. I came up with almost nothing except the asking price which I think a bit on the higher side.

Thanks again for the replies guys.

Epiphone

Chop and change as needed:

1.what is included in the sale - land, garage, furniture, fittings, etc
2.what is the cost of Council Tax and the average costs of other utility bills such as electricity, gas and water
3.why are the sellers moving
4.have there been any problems with the boiler; when was it last serviced by a Gas Safe engineer
5.When was the house last re-wired and who did it?
6.if there is a loft, has this been insulated - if so, how long ago
7.does the property have cavity wall insulation
8.has the property been altered in any way - if so are the relevant planning and building control consents available to inspect
9.does the house have full central heating - if so, how old is it
10.is the property in a conservation area or a listed building - this could restrict any future alterations
11.have any of the rooms been decorated recently - if so, why
12.what are the neighbours like - are they noisy
13.has there ever been a dispute with the neighbours or anyone living nearby
14.how is the water heated - combination boiler or tank
15.Where is sun at morning/night?

abinanthanb

Epiphone wrote: »

Chop and change as needed:

1.what is included in the sale - land, garage, furniture, fittings, etc
2.what is the cost of Council Tax and the average costs of other utility bills such as electricity, gas and water
3.why are the sellers moving
4.have there been any problems with the boiler; when was it last serviced by a Gas Safe engineer
5.When was the house last re-wired and who did it?
6.if there is a loft, has this been insulated - if so, how long ago
7.does the property have cavity wall insulation
8.has the property been altered in any way - if so are the relevant planning and building control consents available to inspect
9.does the house have full central heating - if so, how old is it
10.is the property in a conservation area or a listed building - this could restrict any future alterations
11.have any of the rooms been decorated recently - if so, why
12.what are the neighbours like - are they noisy
13.has there ever been a dispute with the neighbours or anyone living nearby
14.how is the water heated - combination boiler or tank
15.Where is sun at morning/night?

This is wonderful. Many thanks. :T

abinanthanb

The viewing went pretty well thanks to the head-up provided here. Thanks again.

Observed few things in the house.
* There is a Electric Substation just behind the garden. What kind of hazard it provides?
* The ceiling on first floor is around 7.5 - 8 ft, just above 1 ft from my stretched hand. Should it be a problem? The rooms are well ventilated ans spacious though.

Any suggestions please.

LizzieS_2

Your solicitor should check for the relevant planning permissions. It is also worthwhile checking the quality of the work for yourself - around the area that has been extended, are there any cracks in walls/ceilings (shows potential problems with weight bearing), or is the area wallpapered (could be hiding tell-tale signs)?