We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Any really good house-buying guides?

Can anyone recommend any good house-buying guides that I can pass on to an elderly relative who has just put an offer on a house?

They don't have the internet, so it would be ideal if it was easy to read, and maybe in a PDF format.

I've told them, and written down plenty of advice, but it doesn't seem to go in. So I thought a different source of information may help.

The main problem is that this old cottage she's buying could have countless hidden problems and she doesn't care. If there's any problems she'll deal with it in the future. She's just getting a mortgage valuation done, while I've heavily stressed a full structural survey be done.

If there are any guides that point out quite clearly the differences between surveys, and pros and cons then that would be a great help.

The most annoying thing is that she's paying the asking price too! She doesn't want any hassle.

Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Most libraries have books that talk you through the process.

    Or Amazon. Try the Which guide, or just put 'house buying' into Amazon search.

    Do they have a solicitor? Maybe a word with him/her to ask him to stress some of the risks and need for eg full survey? It might help coming from a professional.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.