8 questions every first-time buyer should ask when viewing a property

When you’re a first-time buyer, knowing all of the ins and outs of the property market will get you far. The stakes are high and it’s important that you know exactly what you’ll be getting out of your dream home and avoiding some of those unexpected costly surprises along the way.

Related topics:  Property
Property Reporter
25th May 2021
FTB 9

The mortgage experts at www.onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk have listed eight questions every first-time buyer should ask when they’re off to view a property for the first time:

How long has the property been on the market?

If the property has been on the market for more than four months, don’t be afraid to ask the agent why they think it’s not selling. There could be problems that other potential buyers may have spotted but you haven’t, so it’s important that these are flagged from the get-go. It could also be down to the fact that it’s overpriced and therefore on the market for a long time. Don’t be afraid to offer a low-ball price in the first instance, particularly if the estate agent knows the buyers need to sell fast.

When do the sellers want to move out? Are they part of a chain?

This is a really important question to ask when you’re considering buying a property. If the sellers are caught in a chain, it could drag out your moving process from anywhere between 6-12 weeks, if not longer in the current climate. If however, they’re not in a chain, this wait could go down to around 4 weeks.

Which way does the property face?

Having a gorgeous decking area in the garden is all well and good until you find out there’s hardly ever any sun on it. Ask the agent if the property or garden is south-facing, as you’ll be able to enjoy the maximum amount of sunlight. The sun will rise in the east and set in the west meaning a whole day of glorious sunshine, should the good old English weather allow it.

Is the property listed? If so, what grade is it?

As beautiful as listed properties tend to be, they’re also a nightmare when it comes to what changes you can make. If you come across a listed building that needs a bit of TLC, then perhaps give this one a swerve if you’re under time or cost constraints. If however you simply can’t ignore a listed property, be prepared to wait roughly eight weeks when applying for Listed Building Consent. If the works are really urgent, you should try discussing this with the Planning Services Department at your local council.

What are the neighbours like?

Moving into a property with noisy neighbours can be a living nightmare. So instead, jump the gun and ask your agent outright what they’re like. Additionally, if the seller has ever

made any complaints about their neighbours in the past, you’ll be able to find this out, especially as it’s a legal requirement if you request that information.

What’s the surrounding area like?

Asking questions such as ‘what are the schools like?’, ‘is this a safe area to be in?’ and ‘how good are the transport links around here?’ are all great questions to determine whether this is the kind of area you see yourself living in for many years. Even if you’re not planning on having children anytime soon, a good school nearby can actually increase the value of your property, particularly if the Ofsted rating improves in the future.

How much does it cost to run the property?

Finding out council tax bands, utility costs and general running costs of the property will help you budget properly and let you know whether the home is financially viable for you. Bills and council tax can take a massive chunk of your paycheque each month, so it’s vital to find out exactly what you’ll be forking out each month.

Would the owners consider any offers?

We briefly mentioned this one earlier, but throwing in a low-ball offer is never a waste of time unless your estate agent gives you the heads-up that they’re only accepting the asking price. Bear in mind that a lowball offer is considered to be 25% below the asking price. Anything below this could be deemed too cheeky and the seller could disregard you completely so be brave, but also be fair.

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