How to know if you’re buying the perfect property

How to know if you’re buying the perfect property

January, 2019

You’ve done all the preparation into buying a new house – set a budget, researched the area, talked to estate agents. But what are you actually looking for when you go to your viewings? Don’t get yourself caught out by a house that becomes a money pit; here’s some advice on what to look out for so you know you’re buying the best house for you.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

It may sound exciting to have a massive garden, but will you want to keep up with the maintenance? You may want lots of room for entertaining, but how much furniture will you need to fill the space? Biting off more than you can chew will end up with you spending more money than you planned. Think logically about how much time and money you want to put into your house, and that way you won’t end up with something that’s way over your head.

Check for signs of problems

Little issues can actually be signs of a bigger problem. Make sure you check out any signs for damp, like mould or an uneven carpet. Sometimes damp is just from lack of ventilation, but other times it can be more sinister so make sure to follow it up. Any missing roof tiles, dodgy guttering or cracks in the rendering are also things that could end up with you spending more than you bargained for. If the house if of non-standard construction (like prefabricated or timber framed) then you may struggle to get a mortgage on it, so check for this too.

Consider how modern it is

Not all houses were built to be lived in for the present day. Would your bedroom have enough plug sockets to power all your gadgets? There’s not always good mobile phone or internet coverage too, and this might make or break the deal. Some houses may not have central heating, which isn’t ideal and can be costly to upgrade. A lot of these issues can be rectified, so you’ll need to decide if the space or location of the house are worth spending money to fix them.

Talk to the seller

You can find out a lot about the house by talking to the seller directly. Find out how long they’ve been living in the property and why they are moving – they could have problem neighbours or issues with the house, issues which could later affect you. If there’s a lease you’ll want to find out how long is on it, because extending it can be a costly expense. Finding out if they are leaving any furniture is also a good idea, so you know if you need to bring your own white goods and beds.