Buying a house - questions to ask

97GEBD

Hello guys,

Looking to buy my first home. We've found a couple of good properties, but not sure what to ask about the properties.

One of the properties looks like it has a newer kitchen and bathroom, but the electrics - or at least the consumer unit(?) looks old, but I have no idea what an old one really looks like!

Also, it would need a new central heating system.

What should i be asking about the electric system? What are things I should avoid or try and get? The houseowner has moved on so we're dealing through the agent at the moment, so want my questions dowm in writing.

What do I ask about roofs? And what would I be looking for as a good answer?

Ideally i want to move un and live, without ripping things up etc. but could save to get some things done after a few months of living there...

Ay help would be appreciated, cheers

G

R_P_W

Well the estate agent will probably know sod all. Only way to find answers is to appoint a suitable survey.

grifferz

Any book on the process of house buying would probably be a good investment for you at this stage. You can borrow some for free at the library.

It's been my experience that estate agents know less about any property than I could find out myself by online research, and some of them will be creative rather than just admit that they don't know. So asking agents questions when the answers won't be put in writing is of limited value.

97GEBD

Thanks for the replies.

The house in question has a back boiler (with a not v.nice fire on front), but has been serviced annually with paperwork to prove.

No 'recent work' has been done on the electrics, so no certificates of any form in place etc.

The roof has never been replaced but has been looked and a couple of years ago and no work was recommended.

The house in around the 40's apparently


Looking into it, we could live with the fire place for a bit and then replace with another back boiler (with better fireplace) for around £2000 - i think this would have minimal work required?

Just not sure about the roofing and electrics now.

In terms of surveys, the bank one can be upgraded to homebuyer report, would this be a good move? Or should i get a seperate homebuyer report?

Thanks for all the help so far

janineo

WRT the back boiler, our house had one when we moved in 8 years ago with an awful looking fireplace on the front.

We replaced it 2 years later with a modern, more efficient, boiler, which included laying pipework out to the kitchen, and it cost less than £2000.

British Gas quoted us £6000 for the same job, so shop around!