A little confused about survey/valuation/homebuyers report

Lord_Baltimore

holly_hobby wrote: »

You sound as though you have had a poor experience , and if so its completely understandable that you would wish to voice your thoughts and opinion

However, I also don't believe its helpful disuading peeps from seeking a HB/FS, when the option of a basic offers them absolutely no remit for complaint or resolution, and typically only provides the most cursory of inspections.

Anyhoo, horses for courses I suppose ....

Hope this helps

Holly

In my experience, the Reports all seem to say the same thing, to the extent that it's possible to guess what will be reported....and, of course, the phrase 'get a specialist in' is standard rear end coverage.

I'm not disuading people from seeking a report no more than you are persuading people that they are worth the money. I'm simply balancing the discussion.

It's not my fault that I'm right (jokin' Holly, jokin')

Jenny.W

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

The property was inspected on a rainy day.

A visual inspection with binoculars revealed what appeared to be some loose roof tiles. The roof will need to be repaired and inspected by a specialist. It was noted that the roof tiles were wet over the complete area of the roof. This is suspicious.

All the electrics appeared to work but a specialist should check as some of the wiring is not visible. It is hidden by walls.

There was damp in various places. I used a protometer (or whatever its called) to measure the extent of the damp. Although my meter checks electrical conductivity and may have got a false reading from the wallpaper paste which is hygroscopic (absorbs water) it is best to call in a specialist in damp proofing to charge you say £1000 for reparatory work.

It was cold in the fridge when I opened the door. Beer was being kept impressively cool.

There is wet rot and woodworm somewhere. I'm not sure where but there always is. Yes, that's right, get a specialist.

The central heating was not working. The owner claims this was because it is summer but I smell a rat. Everyone knows summer is freezing. Get a specialist in.

This is a lovely property and you are lovely too. Please make the cheque for £500 payable to Lord Baltimore plc.

It was a pleasure to provide you with this peace of mind .

Not once was I told to get a specialist. Plus there is no way I'm purchasing a house which is 100 years old based on a simple valuation :eek:

Seabee42

Its funny I have a similar view I appreciate and have seen a few reports and yes there are a lot of shall we say repeatable phrases.
I do think you are to a certain extent buying peace of mind.

That being said I did have a survey come back with a mortgage value of nil, which I had some fun sending to the estate agent. The property was taken off the market and let. Seems you can let anything.

Your investing so much money and you really hope they are going to find everything but they wont. (Last house had woodworm had to replace two floors various supports etc). So its a game what are you going to do? invest hundreds of thousands without checking?:D

JimmyTheWig

So are they more likely to find something serious with a full structural survey than a homebuyers report? Or is it generally just that they report in more detail and about extra minor things (e.g. wallpaper in this room may not be to everyone's liking).

Seabee42

You get more pictures and text.

katejo

I would never go for the basic one. It is only for the lender to decide whether they are willing to lend to you. In the properties offered on and bought so far I have used the homebuyer one and it has been perfectly adequate. In two cases it revealed enough for me to know that I needed the price reduced due to the need for new windows and wiring. The sellers refused and I pulled out.

Lord_Baltimore

Jenny.W wrote: »

Not once was I told to get a specialist. Plus there is no way I'm purchasing a house which is 100 years old based on a simple valuation :eek:

Actually, no-one is suggesting that you should. What I'm saying is that there's nothing in the Homebuyer's Report that you can't check for yourself and save a lot of fee money; money which can better be spent on the work that will need doing (there's always something). Now you have to pay a fee and for repairs.

katejo wrote: »

I would never go for the basic one. It is only for the lender to decide whether they are willing to lend to you. In the properties offered on and bought so far I have used the homebuyer one and it has been perfectly adequate. In two cases it revealed enough for me to know that I needed the price reduced due to the need for new windows and wiring. The sellers refused and I pulled out.

Again, no-one is suggesting you rely on the valuation of others - but do you have so little confidence in yourself that you need someone to write you a report on things that you yourself can see? Actually, don't answer, it's a rhetorical question .

holly_hobby

It would be down to how much access the Vendor would allow the buyer (they tend not to question a surveyor poking about), and if the buyer (not having any structual or survey experience) would actually know what they were looking for, or at (given the spotting the blinding obvious of course). And of course, if they miss something, that may otherwise be picked up on by a qualified surveyor, then they have no one to blame but themselves - again as I say its horses for courses, whilst in some circs a basic survey may satisfy some peeps (perhaps the more experienced and knowledgeable housebuyer), it won't settle the nerves or requirements of others.

Of course a mge lender will only accept a survey inspection from a licenced panel practioner - and as I say they can insist upon a more detailed survey, in certain cases.

Holly x

JennyW_2

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

.

Duh

I suggest you read Forum Etiquette at the top of this site. If you can't be polite, don't respond.

holly_hobby

Take it with a pinch and let it roll Jen., personal opinion is just that

I think peeps are savvy enough to make their own minds up, as to what they consider appropriate for their circs

Holly xx