50+ House Buying Tips - How many did you follow?

khanji17

Hi,
I am going through the article '50+ House Buying Tips' and wondering, is it possible to ask so many questions in reality? And on the other hand, as a first time seller will I take the buyer seriously if they ask me all these questions.
The ones I am really stuck on are:
1. It says visit the house even 3+ times, I have visited the property I am interested in twice, but how many times do you usually view the house before putting in an offer?
2. Can I see electrical and gas installation checks/reports? How many of us will ask this question? The property I like is from 1930's, probably its a good question to ask?!
3. Has anyone ever been murdered here? I cant be sure how to ask this one.
4. Has Any of you had any such experience where you as a buyer or a seller had a buyer who did all this:
a. Turn lights on and off, especially those with older switches. Fire up the cooker. Also check the wiring's age, as updating electrics can cost large. 
b.Flush toilets and turn taps on. Check cupboards underneath sinks are dry. Check water pressure and that it gets hot. If you're feeling brave, go outside, lift the drain covers, then get someone to flush the loo and check the drain's flow.
c. Ask the seller to switch on the boiler and turn on the central heating. Check the radiators for leaks and rust, and make sure they all get hot right across the surface.
d. Ensure door locks are up to insurance standards. Most policies insist that front and back doors be fitted with a five lever mortice deadlock. Check windows for locks and the front door for break-in signs.
e. Lift mats and rugs
f. Take binoculars and check for missing/slipped tiles. Eye up the gutters and woodwork for potential problems. If possible, go on a rainy day, to see if the gutters leak.

I would like to know as when going for an older property which has been on the market for a few months, maybe digging in further without looking totally bonkers would be an idea.
Please share your similar experiences.

MovingForwards

1. I only viewed my home once.
2. Best off doing your own if you are that bothered. I wasn't, the occupants were still alive.
3. Use the internet for honest information about the area / property. That's what I did.
4. Didn't need to as the property was occupied, I viewed it in winter and it was lit up like Blackpool illuminations and the heating was on full blast. The occupier opened the kitchen cupboards, turned on the cooker, taps, opened windows etc.
Insurance companies don't care if you have the latest lock or one from 50 years ago, as long as you declare which one you have when you move in. I did mine as a basic lock and haven't got round to declaring what it actually Unless it's a very dodgy area then the insurer will specify what they want.
I used my phone and zoomed in to look at the roof / exterior etc, this works if you've got a really good lens on your camera phone. Only way you will know for sure is sending a drone up.
Older wiring doesn't make much difference unless someone bodges it. At a guess mine is from the 80s, loo and sink are a lot older, most of the pipework is original as are the interior doors and a few other bits.

My flat is 110 years old, still standing. 

I always advocate people check everything when viewing, rather than making an offer, putting the mortgage application in and then freaking out when the survey comes through.

UnderOffer

1. I only viewed once. 2nd viewing was after we exchanged so we could chat to vendor about anything they needed to show us, alarm, bin days, garden licence etc.,

2. if there is anything newly fitted in last few years, re electricity or gas they will have to declare on TA6 forms and provide certificates etc., you could request and pay to have Your own electrician/plumber to inspect the property, by agreement with vendor. 

3. Google the address, and or vendors name, this will reveal most things, if anything. 

4. a. If vendor is living in house you’d assume lights and gas is working. 

b. Not done this personally but my husband was keen to flush toilets but I banned him 🙄. If we had concerns we would have requested and paid for a plumber to inspect subject to agreement by vendor. 

f, that’s a good idea, we discovered a tile missing after moving in and the surveyor didn’t spot it either, though it could have happened after visit. 

hazyjo

There are no hard and fast rules. Just general/ average advice.

1. I view once or twice and just before exchange where possible. So usually around 3 altogether, but not before offering.

2. No. Absolutely not. It's not compulsory so anything is a bonus.

3. Never. Wouldn't put me off unless it was a notorious killer in which, case I would undoubtedly have heard of the area and quite possibly the actual address. If someone asked me, I would find that rather creepy and probably say "just my ex-husband who's buried under the patio". They could make of it what they wanted.

4. Never. I like to presume they don't sit in darkness, bathe, use their toilets, and cook their food. If the oven doesn't work, it's a niggle rather than a disaster.

Most people won't know the age of their wiring. It's fairly obvious if it's ancient.

Water pressure may be one to check and perhaps under sinks.

Heating - up to you. I never have.

Change the locks when you move in.

I wouldn't lift a rug unless it looks like it's been placed in a weird location.

The rest a surveyor will look at. I'm happy to form a very quick opinion on if the roof is newish or ancient.