Unfortunately, many houses have defects that are often not immediately obvious to the untrained eye. Buyers that only discover these after moving in can quickly start to feel that they have made a mistake – and that their house in on the naughty list!
Here we take a look at the best ways to ensure the property you’re buying is on the nice list.
Make a list, check it twice
Just as it can be easy to get absorbed in the festive spirit, when buying a house, you may allow your heart to rule your head. Having a checklist of things to refer back to can prevent you from being swayed too much, forcing you to come back to practical matters.
Call in Santa’s little helpers
Nobody can be expected to do all the work on their own – not even Father Christmas himself! Seeking advice from a firm of professional Chartered Surveyors means you will be far more informed as to exactly what you’re buying. A Chartered Surveyor looks for defects in properties day in day out, and knows the signs that something may be awry. Having a report prepared on your behalf allows you to assess any issues – and the potential cost to rectify them – before you make any further financial commitment.
If you don’t ask…
Buying a house is one of the largest financial commitments you are likely to make in your lifetime, so you need to be sure of what you’re committing to. Don’t be afraid to ask for a second viewing – or to ask to return to view a house again after your offer has been accepted. Similarly, once you have had the results of your survey back, you may feel that the price you have agreed to pay no longer accurately reflects the property’s condition. Going back to the seller to try and negotiate is not an unreasonable step, especially if you have the evidence from a Surveyor’s report.
The property experts at Lea Hough are on hand to advise in relation to all aspects of buying a property. We offer a variety of reports – including RICS Homebuyer Reports, Building Survey Reports and some Valuation Reports. These can help to avoid the disappointment that can come hand and hand with buying a home.
