Questions When Buying a House

lsjhoa

Hi All,

I am visiting a house tomorrow that I'm interested in buying - its my 3rd viewing and would like some help on the following if anyone e can help:

1) The house is a mid-terrace, but something that strikes me as unusal is that there is a small gap between the house and the next house on the left. Its a physical gap of about 1 inch whereby the entire house is separated. Is this ususal? Has anyone else seen or heard of this before on a terraced house? I'm only concerned as I believe it poses a potential problem when it rains as there is one more surface that can get wet.Would this cause damp in the house?

2) As this is my third visit, I'm keen to put in an offer. I would like some advice on what questions to ask the vendor. I mean I'm going to ask her obvious questions about the gas and electrics but cant think of any other questions to ask her. If anyone can help, I'd be gratefully appreciative.

Thanks,

Lsjhoa.

cattie

Well some of the things you can ask about are;
Insulation, is the loft insulated & is there a ladder?
Are walls cavity insulated?
Council tax band?
Water meter, or water rates?
How old is roof?
How long they have lived there ( I'm always wary of vendors who have been in property for a short time, ie no longer than 18months & wonder if noise/neighbours are a problem)
How old is boiler & is it regularly serviced?

Running_Horse

Did you put in an offer?

Richard_Webster

Have a look at http://www.houseweb.co.uk/house/forum/Forum4/HTML/000284.html
for a link to some general hints about what to ask about when buying.

And talk to the neighbours as well. They may tell you something about the property and the sellers, but most likely they won't, but at least you will get some feel as to whether they are reasonable people you could live next door to.

Amanda_Midlands

I agree with the last post - speak to the neighbours and listen carefully for any noise when you visit.

I moved in September because we had vile people move in next door to our old house, and I nearly had a nervous breakdown from the noise and general unpleasantness of them. My new house is so quiet, although still semi detached. I sold my old house to a young couple who are as noisy as the neighbours, so they are hopefully getting a taste of their own medicine.

In my opinion, neighbours are the one most important factor when deciding on buying a house. Good luck.

beedeedee

I would agree on asking about neighbours (and their pets - a large dog would put me off), also ask which direction the garden faces (if you like long, balmy evenings on the patio, west is best).

dolce_vita

lsjhoa wrote: »

1) The house is a mid-terrace, but something that strikes me as unusal is that there is a small gap between the house and the next house on the left. Its a physical gap of about 1 inch whereby the entire house is separated. Is this ususal? Has anyone else seen or heard of this before on a terraced house?

How do the house numbers run in the street?

Are they odd one side and even on the other?

or do they go 1,2,3..... up one side and then continue down the other?

Believe it or not this could explain the gap.



Apart from that the other reples have given you good questions to ask.