Buying a house is a big decision.
In 2020, the average house price in London rose above £500,000 for the first time. That’s a huge investment to make, so it is vital you know exactly what you’re buying.
When an estate agent shows you around a property, they are there to help make you certain that this is your future home, so take the opportunity to gather as much information as you can.
Here are ten top questions to ask your estate agent to make sure the house you’re choosing is the right one for you.
1. How Long Has the House Been on the Market?
This simple question can provide a lot of insight into the state of a house.
In 2021, the average time for a house to accept an offer was around seven weeks, so if the house you are viewing has been on much longer than this, it may be time to ask yourself why?
Is there something putting buyers off? Or is the asking price too high?
These are questions you need to find the answers to before making a bid.
Alternatively, if the house hasn’t been on the market long, you may feel it’s the right one for you but there may not be as much wriggle room on the price as there would be if it had been on the market for months.
2. What Is Included in the Sale?
When viewing a house, you may see many things that you love.
Furniture and fittings that go well with the décor in the property are sometimes included in the sale, so it’s worth knowing what you are getting for the price.
It’s not uncommon for a seller to take things such as the garden shed or shelving with them, and it can add a chunk of money onto your expense if you weren’t planning to have to pay for them.
Also, find out exactly what land is yours. Do you own a parking space, or have to pay for the upkeep of a communal area? Are you buying a flat and have to pay for any damage to the building?
Your estate agent will be able to fill you in on exactly what you are paying for and help you find the exact price you are willing to pay.
3. How Much Council Tax Will I Pay?
Mortgages can take up a big part of a buyer’s wage, so it is vital you know how much you will have to pay on top of that every month.
Asking what council tax bracket the house is in can be a big factor when deciding what area to move into.
It is also wise to ask about other average bills such as water, internet and gas and electric. Are rates lower in this area than the average, or can you expect a nasty shock when your first round of bills comes through?
Knowing your exact monthly expenditure will provide a good insight into how much you can afford to borrow when taking out a mortgage.
4. What Is the Age of the Property?
Knowing when the property was built can provide a lot of information about how it was built.
The newer the build, the more likely the property is to contain more modern methods of insulation and energy efficiency.
If the property you are looking at is decades, or even centuries old, and not a lot of work has gone into it, there may be structural issues that will need addressing.
Of course, if work has recently been done on an old house on things such as windows and doors, then it may be just as good as a brand-new house.
Alternatively, older houses often come packed full of character and rustic charm and may come with quirks such as high ceilings that can be very attractive to potential buyers.
What’s important is you know exactly what you’re looking for, and you make sure the house you are viewing can provide it, and asking the year that the property was built can provide a good indication if this is the house for you.
5. Is There a Lot of Interest in the Property?
The buying and selling market is competitive.
If the house you are viewing is new on the market and boasts a ton of great features, you can be sure you aren’t the only interested party.
Don’t be shy to ask your estate agent how much interest there is in a property. While they won’t tell you the details of offers that are being made, they can inform you how many viewings are booked.
This information will provide a good indication of how popular a house will be and how quickly it will sell.
If you turn up to a viewing and see people leaving, or your viewing has finished and people are waiting to enter the property, it may be wise to act quickly as the house may not be on the market for long.
6. How Old Are the Appliances?
It’s no secret that household appliances cost a lot to replace.
If you view a house and the boiler looks like it doesn’t have many years left, then you must prepare for that outlay when it arrives and choose the price you can afford accordingly.
Asking how old the appliances are can give a good indication of when you may have to pay to replace them.
It is always wise to ask to view the energy performance certificate to get a good idea of how efficient the current central heating, gas and electrics are.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask to see service records to prove that all appliances have been regularly checked and are in good working order. You may be saving yourself a lot of work, and money, by getting this information now and not when you move in.
7. What Is the Neighbourhood Like?
One of the most important things to consider when buying a house is the location.
Your estate agent will have done the research for you, so make sure you ask about things that you desire.
Is there a good school nearby? Are there places to eat and drink close? Can I walk to a local shop?
All of these questions can have a huge input on your decision to buy.
It is worth spending a bit of time driving around the neighbourhood before a viewing. That way, any questions you have can be answered while you’re looking.
8. What Is the Sellers Position?
Knowing what the situation of the seller is can be the difference between a quick buy, and a drawn-out affair.
Is the seller involved in a chain or are they selling a property that is empty and that can be moved into straight away?
Also, it is always wise to ask why the seller has put their house on the market? Maybe they’re upsizing, or maybe it was a rental property that they’re cashing in on?
If the reason is because of the health of the property, or because noisy neighbours have moved in, this could be an indication that it’s not the place to buy.
9. How Many Owners Has the Property Had?
If you were looking to buy a car, and you had two similar options to choose from, would you choose the one with a new owner every six months, or the one that has been cared for and loved for years by the same person?
Probably the latter, right?
Well buying a house is just the same. If you get told that the house seems to change hands very frequently, this may be an indication that there’s something not right.
On the other hand, if some people have lived there for decades, it may be a sign that it’s a nice neighbourhood and a happy place to live.
The estate agent will be able to provide the selling history and give you a clear idea of a house’s past, which will help make your decision on its future.
10. Which Way Do the House and Garden Face?
Something that is often overlooked but is incredibly important is which way the house faces.
If you see yourself sipping a cold drink on an evening in a sun-filled garden, or enjoying a nice coffee in the warm morning sunshine, you must make sure your garden is facing the best way for this.
And it’s not just outside that counts. Natural light can be a hugely important aspect of a property for many people, so if you have lovely big living room windows, find out when the sun will be shining on them, and when you may be left in the shade.
It’s a quick question that can be easily answered by your estate agent and could make a huge difference to your life inside your new property.
Final Thoughts
Buying a house is a big thing, and it’s not something that should be done quickly without lots of thought.
Take your time and get all the information you need from your estate agent. After all, that’s what we are here for.
If you’re looking to move home, why not take a look at the current selection of wonderful houses for sale at Leysbrook. Covering areas such as Leysbrook, Letchworth, Hitchin and beyond, we’re sure to have your future home just waiting to be found.