It can be easy to get swept up in how a property looks when you go and view it but it is worth thinking about the practicalities. This week’s Tuesday Tips provides some handy pointers on what to remember to ask before you commit to buying.
Asking the right questions can ensure your property purchase is right for you.
- If you have kids, investigate what local primary or secondary schools there are and their proximity to the property. It’s handy to check out the transport options to the school too. You may also want to look into what activities are available in the area for your children to get involved in.
- Confirm what land comes with the property. Ownership of the house may include other land outside of the garden that you may have to take shared or sole responsibility of. Your GSPC solicitor should be able to assist with his.
- We are all guilty of filling the loft and garage with junk using an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality, but ask to see these spaces of the home even if the seller hasn’t given them a tidy up. This can give you an indication of the potential of the property as well as the storage options.
- Although it’s now easy to Google what’s in an area you are moving to, it’s always good to ask the seller about local facilities and transport links before you buy. It’s likely that they know the area well and can let you know about some local hot spots. Have a stroll around the area too as this is the best way to get a proper feel for the location.
- Ask to see bills from both the summer and winter to give you a more accurate idea of how much you will be spending throughout the month. This will help you sleep easy with assurance that you can afford all of the outgoings comfortably.
- If it’s a flat that you’re viewing, ask about factor fees and shared responsibilities to ensure you’ve got the full picture before signing on the dotted line.
- Finally, don’t commit to buying based on just one viewing. Get as many viewings as you feel is necessary before you seal the deal. Buying a property might be the largest purchase you ever make so it’s important to have all of the information available.