Questions to ask at a viewing...

Red_Rocket

Also, I am compiling a list of useful questions to ask the EA and/or the seller when viewing a house.

Any suggestions (no matter how seemingly obvious or trivial) would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

cattie

Council tax band?
Water rates or meter?
Boiler serviced regularly?
Rough cost of annual heating bill?
What are the neighbours like? Often when I ask this question I find sellers offer to introduce me before sale completes, which is always a good sign.
Distance to local shops & train station.

CB1979_2

any warranties outstanding on double glazing or any other work they've had done? eg. damp proof, wood mite treatment, etc etc.

shelly

How long has the property been on the market and has there been alot of interest in it?

What's included in the price? e.g carpets/curtains/ appliances......you would be surprised how many vendors want extra for these.

If there is any land nearby, ask if there are any plans to build on it.



If I think of any more i'll be back

F_T_Buyer

Ask the vendor, not the EA "What is the lowest offer you would accept?" Then do not say anything, not a peep, until the vendor says something.

What ever the response, it will give you a good indication how serious the seller is.

goldbyron

Is there a deadline that they have to be moved by? Have they found somewhere yet? Gauge if they would be willing to vacant should a purchase fall through?

How long have they been living there and reasons for moving?

loulou41

F_T_Buyer wrote:

Ask the vendor, not the EA "What is the lowest offer you would accept?" Then do not say anything, not a peep, until the vendor says something.

I did that, she would not tell me, but the EA did and again some EA will tell you the lowest offer the vendor will consider and some will not.

Raggie

Personally I think the best question to tell you about a house and its area.. is

"Whats your neighbours names?"

But then again .. to me living in a community is just as important as a nice kitchen.. :-)

edwara

Of there are trees in the garden it can be worth asking if there is a TPO (tree preservation order) as this means you need planning permission to prune, remove them etc. This could be an issue if you wanted more light. One property we looked at had a huge oak with a TPO and the current owners had had a long battle with their neighbours when they applied for planning to prune it to give them much needed light in the kitchen.

This may not be a deal breaker but depending on your plans for the property it is best to be forewarned.

theGrinch

why are you moving? (for the vendor)
whats the minimum you will accept?
have you found somewhere else/chain free?

Red_Rocket

With regard to asking the Vendor what the lowest price they would accept...

Surely they wouldn't actually tell you their real lowest price? How can you trust what they tell you not to be 5k, 10k or even more than what they would sell for?

Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for all suggestions, but I'm just a bit confused over this point.