When you’re viewing your dream home, it’s easy to get swept up imagining what colour you’ll paint the walls, but it’s important to make those minutes count. Asking the estate agent the right questions can help you work out whether it’s really the right home for you, or if you’re better off looking elsewhere. Here are the 10 key questions to ask estate agents at a property viewing.
1. Why is the owner selling?
The answer to this question can sometimes tell you a lot. Most people move home because they’re ready for a change, their family is growing, or they’re downsizing to a smaller home. But, if the answer to this question is vague, it could mean there are bigger issues with the property or surrounding area.
You might also find out that the owner wants to sell quickly, perhaps because they’re relocating for a new job, which is a signal that they might be willing to accept a lower offer.
2. How long has the owner lived there?
If the owner hasn’t lived there very long, or the property has changed hands a lot in recent years, it could be a red flag. Try to find out if it’s a noisy area, or if there are any nightmare neighbours.
On the other hand, if the owner has lived there for a long time, they might be pickier about the type of buyer they sell their home to. In this case, you’ll need to make a compelling offer and paint yourself in the best possible light!
3. How long has the property been on the market?
If the property has been sitting on the market for months without any offers, or the price has been reduced, alarm bells should be ringing. Is it just overpriced, or did previous potential buyers discover issues at the survey stage? Try to get a sense of why the property isn’t selling, so you know whether to cut and run.
4. Has the seller found a new home?
Find out how keen the seller is to move and whether they’ve already found a new property to buy, or are moving into rented accommodation. This will give you a steer on how quickly (or slowly) the process is likely to move forward.
Waiting around for this to happen could take weeks or months, adding uncertainty to your home-buying journey.
5. Have any major works been done recently?
Unless you’re looking for a renovation project, you’ll probably want to find a home that doesn’t need much work. Find out if the property has recently been refurbished and what was updated. Did they get planning permission for that extension? Have there ever been any issues with damp or flooding?
Ask when the boiler was last replaced or serviced and if there’s ever been any problems with it, as this can be a particularly expensive item to repair. If you can see that the property needs some serious TLC, like new windows or flooring, make sure to reflect this in your offer.
6. What’s included in the sale?
This might seem like a petty question, but it’s an important one to ask to avoid disappointment! Find out exactly which ‘fixtures and fittings’ would be included in the sale – from the garden shed to the kitchen taps. What might seem like small details could cost you thousands of pounds to buy from scratch.
7. What are the neighbours like?
If a serious complaint has ever been made about any of the neighbours, the estate agent has a legal obligation to tell you. It’s also useful to know who your immediate neighbours would be – are they a family with kids, or a group of students?
Meeting a few neighbours in person is also a great way to get the lowdown on the property and general area – and it gives you an opportunity to ask the nosier questions that estate agents might avoid answering.
8. Have any offers been made so far?
The estate agent can’t tell you exactly how much the offers are, but they can give you an indication of whether they’re below, on, or above the asking price. Knowing how many offers are already on the table will help you work out how much to offer and whether you’re likely to get into a bidding war.
Also, check out the Land Registry website to see how the property value has changed over time. If there’s been a significant drop in value, ask why.
9. If it’s a leasehold property, how long is the lease and how much is the service charge and ground rent?
If it’s a leasehold property (a type of ownership usually found with flats), make sure to ask these questions. Properties with nearly 80 years or less on the lease can be difficult to sell or remortgage. Extending a lease can cost you thousands – and the fewer years left on the lease, the more expensive it is.
Also, you usually need to have lived in the property for at least two years before you can extend the lease. Find out how much the service charge and ground rent would be and whether these charges are paid annually, quarterly or more regularly. These details can help you decide whether the property really fits into your budget.
10. What’s the minimum price the seller would accept?
This might feel like a cheeky question, but it could save you thousands. If the seller and estate agent are keen to make a quick sale, they might just tell you – or be willing to accept a lower offer!
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