Help please. Homebuyers report v RICS Condition report

nomorecreditcards

Hi guys, I have had a quick look through the forum and can't find my question answered anywhere so thought I would start a new thread.

I am buying my first property and I'm at the stage where my mortgage has been approved and I have received a draft contract from the seller and most searches have been carried out, or are due to be carried out.

I was all set to purchase a Homebuyer's Report after reading up on the internet how it is a good idea with such a big purchase. However when I received the 'instructions to proceed' letter the surveyor has put the wrong number for the address, and then on another part of the letter he has put the wrong post code. This doesn't give me much faith that he will produce a good report but I'm not sure if I'm being too picky? Would be grateful if anyone has any thoughts. He is registered with RICS.

Then my next question is, if I were to decide not to go ahead with him because of this error, and was to find someone else is a RICS condition report generally considered sufficient or would it be worth me paying the extra money and getting a homebuyers report?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot, Steph

motherofstudents

Well, sometimes you can save some money by having the surveyor who does the valuation for morgage purposes, carry out a home buyers or full building survey. On the other hand, if you have been put off, contact a surveyor separately. They should be MRICS or FRICS. Depends on the age of property etc but whatever you pay it may help you to renegotiate.

G_M

I wouldn't worry too much - the surveyor who'll do the survey didn't write the letter - his PA/secretary did. Just correct the address.

Or if really woried, find another firm yourself.

A 'Condition Report' is a new introduction this year. It is an entry level survey (VERY basic) telling a little more than the mortgage Lender's Valuation, but less than the Homebuyers report.

And FAR less than a full survey.

Your decision will be dictated by
* how much you want to spend
* how old the property is
* your general view of its condition
* what level of risk you are willing to take
* how much confidence you have in your own ability to spot/understand problems
* whether you have any specific queries (ie can I knock through these 2 rooms safely?)
etc

nomorecreditcards

Hi, thanks for your replies. I did find him myself as was advised not to go with the one recommended by the estate agents which was Connells.

When I have spoken to the gentleman on the phone he seems really nice but a little bit unorganised so the mistakes on the letter just made me worry a bit. I might just pay a bit more and go with Connells or someone similar (he was charging £300 instead of £360 elsewhere).

I am not looking to knock any walls through or anything, but would not really know how to spot potential problems so would like peace of mind. I think based on that I will be best going for the homebuyers report.

Thanks for your help

googler

nomorecreditcards wrote: »

However when I received the 'instructions to proceed' letter the surveyor has put the wrong number for the address, and then on another part of the letter he has put the wrong post code. This doesn't give me much faith that he will produce a good report

Honestly, do you REALLY think the surveyor is typing up every piece of correspondence that leaves his office?

No, that's being done by a PA/sec with limited language skills. He studied for years so that he wouldn't be doing these things.

G_M

nomorecreditcards wrote: »

Hi, thanks for your replies. I did find him myself as was advised not to go with the one recommended by the estate agents which was Connells.

When I have spoken to the gentleman on the phone he seems really nice but a little bit unorganised so the mistakes on the letter just made me worry a bit. I might just pay a bit more and go with Connells or someone similar (he was charging £300 instead of £360 elsewhere).

By all means shop around but either use the same surveyor as your mortgage lender (which may save money by combining two surveys), or find your own.

I would always advise against using the estate agent's surveyor beacause
a) the EA works for the seller, NOT for you
b) the EA is getting a commission for the referral

nomorecreditcards

Hi, thanks for that.
Yeah that's what I was thinking. My mortgage advisor is based at the estate agents, and she was who recommended the surveyor so thats why I thought I would shop around. I also think you're right that she would have got commission for it.

Is there any way of looking for a surveyor apart from looking at RICS surveyors on the website?

Thanks

dawyldthing

I know when i was looking i checked these http://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/ and these http://www.reallymoving.com/

nomorecreditcards

Thanks, much appreciated

nomorecreditcards

googler wrote: »

Honestly, do you REALLY think the surveyor is typing up every piece of correspondence that leaves his office?

No, that's being done by a PA/sec with limited language skills. He studied for years so that he wouldn't be doing these things.

Hi only just seen this. Yeah I did think that, but I do think that he is just someone who does this on the side and that his wife is his PA from the conversations I've had with him. I agree that maybe I'm being a bit picky, but you would think he would employ someone who would at least get the address of my property right. One mistake wouldn't have been too bad, but two just seemed a bit lax to me....