buying repossessed house survey/utilitys

arron9999

hi all i went to look at a house today, we are first time buyers.
as soon as we walked in we could smell damp and after a quick look we saw damp patches on the walls downstairs. they were rather scattered some high some low, the house is a semi and there was a small damp patch on the joining wall.

we liked it and want to put a offer in but what survey do we need, i have read a lot of bad things about the home buyers survey.

As the property was repossessed all utility's have been cut, gas electric and water how do i go about getting these checked and reconnected?

Do we have to make our offer first then get the surveyors in. we will have about £10000 spare but want that to offset the mortgage if we can, and not spend on the house.

could the damp be because to property has been empty since feb and just need heating up and windows open. all tiles on roof looked in order from what we could see from the road and didnt see any damp patches outside, all guttering looked good.

one of the ventilation grills outside was blocked with crap on one of the walls but the black paint stuff (think this is the damp proofing) on the bottom two visible courses of bricks was poor worn away.

sorry about all the questions as said this if the first time buy and want a project that is not gonna fall down and waste out money.

thanks in advance
arron

G_M

arron9999 wrote: »

hi all i went to look at a house today, we are first time buyers.
as soon as we walked in we could smell damp and after a quick look we saw damp patches on the walls downstairs. they were rather scattered some high some low, the house is a semi and there was a small damp patch on the joining wall.

we liked it and want to put a offer in but what survey do we need, i have read a lot of bad things about the home buyers survey.
How competant do you feel interpreting the issues you see? How much professional helpdo you need/want? It is a personal decision!

As the property was repossessed all utility's have been cut, gas electric and water how do i go about getting these checked and reconnected?
Afteryou buy, you get the utilities connected, empoy a sparkie and gas engineer and find out what you have bought!

Do we have to make our offer first then get the surveyors in. we will have about £10000 spare but want that to offset the mortgage if we can, and not spend on the house.
Bit silly sending in a surveyor beforemaking anoffer. Or getting it accepted!

could the damp be because to property has been empty since feb and just need heating up and windows open.
could be. I can't tell as I can't see the damp from here!
all tiles on roof looked in order from what we could see from the road and didnt see any damp patches outside, all guttering looked good.
Pointing?

one of the ventilation grills outside was blocked with crap on one of the walls but the black paint stuff (think this is the damp proofing) on the bottom two visible courses of bricks was poor worn away. It's what is(invisible) between the bricks that matters.

sorry about all the questions as said this if the first time buy and want a project that is not gonna fall down and waste out money.

thanks in advance
arron

Repos are stressful. And a gamble.

Easy to spendmoney then get gazumped at last minute.

You have tobuy 'as seen', soneed to know what you're doing, be prepared to take a gamble, and/or ensure you get it at agood price.

You need decent contingency funds.