Finding anything suspicious going on in the area i'm buying

KareenaMukherjee

We're at an advanced stage in purchasing a house, and i've very niave in a few understandings of the process as i'm a first time buyer. However, even though the owners and estate agent have assured me, i am deeply wary and worried about certain little issues. Hopefully you guys can help me out.

The estate we are buying a house on has 14 houses, and 6 are on the market. It's a decent estate, full of mid range property houses to a few afluent housing. We though this was a little odd, but this might just be a coincidence, but i investigated further to see if maybe there was something wrong with the area that was maybe causing the people to sell up. But i've found nothing, mainly because my detective skills don't extend beyond typing the area into google.

One of the main areas of grate i had, was that the estate we are buying, has a massive green area of field right infront of it, which looks ripe for development in my opinion. It's a huge fear i have that something could be built there. Maybe a supermarket, factory, etc

Now i am aware the solicitor will do checks. Is that right? He will check developments, etc?

Is there anything i can do for myself? Can i go to the council to enquire about the area about new developments?

Behind the house, there is an area of what i have been told is a 'green belt' area that is protected. How can i check this is true?

Sigh ...

RAS

I suggest you go to the Council offices and ask about all planning applications in the locality. This will not be discovered by your lawyer. geeen belt should be Ok.

G_M

Talk to planning officers. They will know far more than is revealed in official searches. eg a search will only reveal formal planning applications, but there may be ongoing informal discussions between planners and a developer about a proposed development.

JQ.

6 houses for sale on an estate of 14 would worry me. Knock on the doors of those houses for sale and tell them you're thinking of moving in an ask about the area. Also go to houses not on the estate for a more balanced opinion. Could also ask at the local shops.

If you plan to go to the council, make an appointment with the Local Planning Officer for that area - they will know of things that have'nt even had applications on them yet.

poppysarah

Walk round on a Friday and Saturday night ...

USM

poppysarah wrote: »

Walk round on a Friday and Saturday night ...

On the off chance that the proposed supermarket/factory only comes out at weekends?

JQ.

USM wrote: »

On the off chance that the proposed supermarket/factory only comes out at weekends?

I would imagine to check the estate does not become the local youth club at the weekend, and not in a good way.

PasturesNew

You can look at the crime map for the area, on http://www.police.uk/

Apart from that, just think of a list of phrases that would appear in troublesome areas and do some googling; if your area were called "Posh End" then I'd suggest starting by googling for:

"Posh End" "police were called"
"Posh End" "anti-social"
"Posh End" arrested

Then go where your nose leads you.

I googled an area earlier to find it was infested with chavs, gypsies had just moved in, the green area was about to be built on and it had a reputation for late night anti-social behaviour and creepy blokes hanging about

Eton_Rifle

Online Parish Council minutes can be rather helpful too.

Salz

Whats the postcode and we can have a look for you

Errata

View all the ones that are for sale and ask them all why they're selling?