First Time Buyer

mi-key

Getting a gas safety check on the heating system and an electrical check is always a good idea though 

YoungBlueEyes

You can always ask them to turn it on so you can see it working (if it's the owners doing the viewing). Being old isn't a reason for it to not work, and if it's been serviced recently I'd be ok with that. You can always get it serviced yourself if/when you move in

That's for further down the line though. 

newsgroupmonkey_

The biggest advice I could give you is this;

The survey WILL throw up things like "Roof might only have X amount of years left. DPC might need doing" and so on.

Look for the things that need doing now.

But most importantly, the house will be valued as it stands in its current condition. It is NOT a new build, so please don't expect it to be perfect. It may have cracks in the plaster (i'd be surprised if it didn't). Some of the lintels might be cracked, particularly if it's had replacement windows. The boiler is old, so expect to replace it.

Surveyors give prices of things that need fixing at the most expensive price. You'll easily be able to get them done for half with a decent trade.

However, if the survey comes back and says "chimney may need pointing. Approximate cost will be £5k", don't try knocking money off. You could well find the seller will simply pull out and find someone less needy.

I sold my house last year at the peak and had the choice of buyers. I'm afraid to say I told my Estate Agent to ignore any FTBers as I've been burnt in the past by nonsense - people badly advised (often by parents) and also those who don't understand that if the valuation comes under the offer price, they have to find the difference.

LunaAndBelle

newsgroupmonkey_ said:

The biggest advice I could give you is this;

The survey WILL throw up things like "Roof might only have X amount of years left. DPC might need doing" and so on.

Look for the things that need doing now.

But most importantly, the house will be valued as it stands in its current condition. It is NOT a new build, so please don't expect it to be perfect. It may have cracks in the plaster (i'd be surprised if it didn't). Some of the lintels might be cracked, particularly if it's had replacement windows. The boiler is old, so expect to replace it.

Surveyors give prices of things that need fixing at the most expensive price. You'll easily be able to get them done for half with a decent trade.

However, if the survey comes back and says "chimney may need pointing. Approximate cost will be £5k", don't try knocking money off. You could well find the seller will simply pull out and find someone less needy.

I sold my house last year at the peak and had the choice of buyers. I'm afraid to say I told my Estate Agent to ignore any FTBers as I've been burnt in the past by nonsense - people badly advised (often by parents) and also those who don't understand that if the valuation comes under the offer price, they have to find the difference.

I’m not expecting perfection - I guess I just have to be mindful if there will be some major work needing to be done. 

Interesting about the under valuation. The house is a price I’d like to pay and also quite comfortable for me. It also allows me to put a 30% deposit.