For those of you following my story from last year and earlier this, I'm glad to say things have finally sorted themselves out now. The divorce is all but finalised (the ex and I have finally come to an amicable settlement) and with the cash I've managed to scrape together, I've been accepted for a second mortgage which means I can definitely buy somewhere so I've got a roof over my head.
Although I looked round dozens of properties with the ex when we moved before, I just sort of nodded my head and said "yes dear, whatever you want dear" etc and she done most if not all the talking. But tonight, I'm actually going to view 2 houses and a flat on my own. So my question is, what questions should I ask, what questions can I ask, what questions cannot be asked? Is there a protocol for making idle chit chat with the owner? or do you just do the silent, head nodding in appreciation type thing?...I havent got a clue really.
In terms of the flat specifically, I know I need to ask about whether freehold/leasehold etc and what the ground rent and maintainence fees are if any. The only other questions I can think of is when was the property last rewired and what are the neighbours like?
Is there anything else I should be asking??? so my CL friends, what do you suggest/recommend.
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Anyway, "what is your position" is one to ask the owner (ie. why are you selling, are you looking to buy etc.)
And if you yourself are not selling, ie. no chain your end then make sure the owners know since it is very much in your favour.
Ask how much the gas and electrics were for the last 12 months.
Idle chit chat is good and you can find a list of things to ask here:
Money Saving Expert
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A good start, also:
Ask about heating bills etc, what the council tax is and things that aren't visible - such as cavity wall and loft insulation.
Don't be afraid to mosey around the area before you visit the property (or after), just see what it's like - are shops, rail connections nearby (if you commute to work by train etc). For example is there a major road nearby that may be quiet in the evening, but insufferably noisy during commuting hours?
As you are viewing after dark - if you like any of the properties ask if you can return at the weekend so you can see what the place looks like in daylight and maybe take someone who'll have a different opinion to you - they may spot things that you'll miss.
Have a look at window frames etc, if they are wooden is the paint flaking and will they need renovating. If they say that they've just had the house re-wired/re-carpeted, put in double glazing etc...then ask how long ago and is there a guarantee in place etc.
Don't be afraid to be blunt - buying a house is likely to be the most expensive thing you do and if you get the wrong house, it's likely to be an expensive mistake.
take them along with you to a second viewing if you think you really like it.
"So how much do you want?"
ENSURE YOU GET A FULL SURVEY OF THE PROPERTY
Will save you a fortune in the long run.
When you visit, don't go around saying how nice everything is. Find some things to find fault with, you can use these things as a bargaining chip to negotiate on the price with (though don't go over the top, slate someone's home and piss them off).
How many electric sockets are there? you can never have too many sockets.
I believe flat conversions now have to have NHBC too. Came in about 2003 I think.
With a flat also - think about where you are going to put your stuff as storage space is almost always a problem and you may not have the loft.
Internet - dunno your work situation but make sure its not in a NOTSPOT if you need internet for work - my connection from home is epically pants now
Bills is important
Look at general upkeep of the house - if its messy the chances are they have done little by way of maintenance. (May also be hiding things behind mess too like damp patches)
Look at the roof as roof repairs are expensive
Go at several different times of the day
and most importantly - follow your instincts!!!
how long they have lived there,
why are they moving,
ask to see utility bills,
do they have anywhere to move to
check rooms for where you would put furniture
ask what they are leaving behind (if anything)
If you still like it have a proper survey done, don't rely on a mortgage survey, I've seen them done and all they often do is count doors, radiators etc. Dependent on the result of the survey make an offer to the estate agent, you can use the result of the survey to negotiate the price down if something is wrong.
Good luck
Ask the following questions of the vendors:
"Have you had to do much?" (Meaning either have you done much, ie decorating or have you improved or fixed much, ie DIY - how they answer is as important as what they say).
"Why would you want to move from here?" (Some people may say, "we're moving abroad", which is ok, but some are honest/stupid enough to say "we don't get on with the neighbours, the house is always cold and we've been burgled nine times this week")
"How did you come up with the current asking price?" (I love this one!)
Don't forget, it doesn't matter how much they want and it doesn't matter how much you offer; what matters is what you finally agree on, after your full survey.
...these?
If people are offended by you looking inot every nook and cranny, just apologise and tell them you once bought a place and loads of things were digusied. A true story from friends of mine, they bought a house and the carpet was fitted in the bedroom, when they moved in they discovered that the fitting incvluded around the bed so a great big hole was left in the carpet.
Be careful that you don't say any thing that could be offensive, I once made a comment about he solicitors all being croooked, the seller replied very frostily that her brother was her solicitor. Same people failed to tell us, that their neighbours had moved out and rented the property to a biker gang .. fortunately by the time we moved in they had been evicted.
All are in Bexleyheath and as I've spent most of my life around there, think I'm ok on that on.
That was a real bug bear in my last house, especially trying to plug in all my gadgets.
If I cant get my 50mb virgin pipe moved with me, I'm not interested anyhow lol
Brilliant. Thats probably the most important questions out of all of them. Who care's what the house is like eh when you've got a good view out of the window ;-)
I guess with one of the properties being at the top of a hill, I really should check out the water pressure on the taps...
Cheers guys, you've been a great help. Will report back on what I asked later tonight :-)
It has already crossed my mind if I see evidence of any Ars*nal stuff in any house/flat I view. I would have to have the property exorcised and cleaned from top to bottom with bleach before I could think about living there ;-)
I've recently moved and whilst viewing flats I turned down one because the departing tenant showing me around was Millwall and was wearing the shirt and had calendars/posters etc. around the place. I couldn't get out of there quickly enough!!
Do a google news search on the area, mate of mine moved into a gaff previoisly owned by one of the steven lawrence accused, old bill riped his garden to shreds a few months after he moved in...
When me and me significant other were looking were offerd a cracking 3 bed house in abbeywood nice and big well decorated... luckily I lived down the road and new 2 months earlier a bloke escaped from prision and shot his girlfriend her boyfriend then himself in the kichen.... umm thanks but no thanks...
On a serious note have a drive around the area after dark where ure looking so u can see if there's gangs of kids etc..
Parking is a biggie
Ask who did the double glazing/extension/bathroom/kitchen etc
How fit the lady next door is (or if you're really unlucky the daughter who moves out as you move in)