First time buyer, viewing houses at the weekend.

arcon5

As the title implies, we're clueless.


We got some good pointers from our broker, read a good guide on which, so wondering what important pointers you guys have for buyers viewing properties or what the most common mistakes are a first time buyer might make.


Thanks

ACG

If you like the property, say you like the property but do not be bouncing off the walls with excitement.

When you are bouncing off the walls it says you REALLLLY want the property. When you are negotiating, you want them to know you want it and are serious but not that you will pay top whack for it (even if you would).

SpiderLegs

If you like it, offer 10% above asking price immediately. :rotfl:


Crashy will be along soon to tell you to say it’s awful but you’ll take it off their hands for half price.

Thrugelmir

If you like a property. View again. You'll notice far more the second visit.

arcon5

From what I read and hear a key question is explicitly discussing what is included... for example carpets,built in cooker etc etc... is it common for things like carpets to be removed etc?


Another big one I'm advised is to enquire about the boiler, e.g. has it been serviced regularly, how old it is ect

scholesfan88

Ask what's included in the sale if they have things like built in appliances, range cooker etc...

Other than that I generally just ask how come there moving etc...

I usually ask to see the boiler and if they know it's age. Unless you get them to pull out proof it's been serviced then they'll always say it's done anually.

The same as asking what the neighbours are like, nobody is going to admit if their living next to neighbours from hell.

[Deleted User]

I would suggest asking someone, who has bought and sold many properties, whose advice you trust, to go with you - certainly if you like somewhere enough to do a 2nd viewing.

With novice eyes there may be things you overlook, things you're put off about, things that scream money pit.

Those could be deal breakers to you but in actual fact are easily dealt with and would make you a good home.

SouthLondonUser

How well do you know the area? In other words, do you need to do due diligence on the area as well as on the house?

Buy one of those £10 laser-measuring thingies on Amazon and use it to check how reliable or not the measurements are. Don't measure the whole house, of course, just verify that, say, the living room isn't 15% smaller than the floorplan says it is.

Energy ratings are useless. Pay attention to the insulation of the main doors and windows. Are there big gaps that would let draught through? Inspect windows from the outside, including from the back garden.

Distinguish between your taste and that of the general market. E.g. You might not care if the kitchen is on the first floor but for most people it's a no-no, so that would make it very hard to resell the property. Other big no-nos IMHO are: bedrooms on the ground floor, kitchen and dining room far from each other, proximity to railway tracks, overlooking a busy road, proximity to fast food joints, etc

Make sure it's not a leasehold house or a so-called fleecehold (google it), eg a freehold house with the obligation to pay for something like the maintenance of a private road. Like with leasehold, the problem is you practically have no control over those costs, which tend to rise substantially.

Do you plan on having kids? Have you done your research on schools, catchment areas etc? The data on rightmove is often wrong about that so do your homework.

enthusiasticsaver

Do your research first on the area. Crime statistics, schools if you have or intend having children, prices of other houses in the area etc etc.

When you are viewing it try to view with your head and not your heart. Ask about boiler age, neighbours, walk around the area to see if you can get a feel for neighbourhood and if you have a car any parking issues. Your sellers may not be honest or evasive but if you find out they are lying you will know to be suspicious of all they tell you. I always ask how long they have lived there and check on rightmove first to find out when it was last sold and for how much. A quick buy and sell period may indicate underlying issues like neighbour problems, or lots of work needs doing.

SouthLondonUser

Also look up 'sold house prices' in the area on rightmove and zoopla.

Download the property tracker Chrome addon https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/property-tracker/abgkpdjomdmemeefdefalbeogkmlmand?hl=en-GB that tracks price reductions on rightmove

How much bespoke furniture, if any, is there? Unless you hate the look of it, it can be a huge convenience, and a big saving, if good bespoke furniture is already in place.

On schools, bear in mind schools go in and out of fashion, ratings change, etc. I know areas where houses close to school A sell for much more than those close to school B; my own due diligence suggests they are both equally good, plus they have an equal chance of becoming **** in the future, so I wouldn't pay the premium to be close to school A (we are talking about a 700 yard distance between the two!)