Potential off the record questions for surveyors

ComputeAngel

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a semi detached house and survey is booked for tomorrow.

Do you guys think, I should attend the survey myself as well? I asked the estate agent and he says that I am not allowed to meet the surveyor. is this correct? It is the basic evaluation that is booked.

Also, do you guys recommend any off the record questions that I should ask him/her if I meet the surveyors.

Lastly, will estate agent be able to see the evaluation report from the surveyors?

The mortgage is with Halifax.

Many thanks

stephenni1971

Leave well alone and let them do their work...

Goldiegirl

The basic valuation is for the benefit of the lender.

The valuer won't want to talk to you.

If you feel you need more information, perhaps you should consider getting your own survey done.

Prothet_of_Doom

ComputeAngel wrote: »

Hi guys,

I asked the estate agent and he says that I am not allowed to meet the surveyor.

The mortgage is with Halifax.

Many thanks

I'm assuming you went for the Valuation Survey.

a) What the !!!! has it got to do with the agent? Their job is to hand over the keys so they can value it.
- the valuer is telling your lender if the house is worth at least what you want to pay. The agent won't see that valuation.
b) If you went for the home buyers report, the report will be longer, but will probably have lots of unanswered questions, and ambigity. But again the agent won't see that report unless you use it to try and reduce the price.

Previously I've paid for a structural survey privately after the valuation survey went okay, because there were some issues with the rear brickwork and I wanted a professional to be honest. He was happy to discuss the issues before and after his visit, and recommend the right solution, and some builders he was happy could do it. I think it was about £350 plus the Vat.

sleek4u2

Hi Guys,

Am sorry to jump in on someone else's thread but don't know how to start mine!
Quick question guys, i am a FTB and my offer for a property has been accepted...long story short, the house is 4 year old, what sort of survey should i request for since it is still under guarantee? many thanks and please keep up the good work!

muhandis

Personally speaking, if I'm entering into a decades long commitment for what will be the biggest single purchase of my life, I will want to do as much due diligence as I practically could on the asset that I'm buying -

1. Irrespective of the age of the property, I would go for a full buildings survey. I'm an FTB in the process of buying a 9 year old house and the survey threw up a few important questions about the basic structure and roof which might not be immediate problems but could be in a few years time.

2. I'd get it done by an independent surveyor i.e. preferably not someone recommended by lender, broker or seller's estate agent.

3. Full surveys can cost anything upwards of £750 +VAT, so if you don't want to spend that much, the Homebuyer's report is an option but it will be much more ambiguous.

sleek4u2 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Am sorry to jump in on someone else's thread but don't know how to start mine!
Quick question guys, i am a FTB and my offer for a property has been accepted...long story short, the house is 4 year old, what sort of survey should i request for since it is still under guarantee? many thanks and please keep up the good work!

sleek4u2

many thanks for the response...sure right, its a big investment! just thought because it is still under the term then i can save that money and put it into another use.:beer:

AlistairM

I had a valuation done by the bank and a paid for a separate homebuyers report done myself.


The banks chosen surveyor valued the property at £32K less than surveyor I used.


I do wonder if the banks surveyor even laid eyes the property

sleek4u2

@ AlistairM so did you re negotiate or did you loose out on the property then?

AlistairM

I sent them the banks valuation and negotiated with them to come down by £5K


Didn't lose the place, might be in this month fingers crossed