Viewing houses isn’t always as easy as it seems.
After all, you could be deciding on your home for the next few decades.
Asking the right questions helps you determine which properties are worth considering.
Read on for our recommendations on what to ask and why.
1. Why are the owners selling?
This could reveal details that are useful for understanding the property and its area. It might also be helpful for negotiations.
For example, the current owners may be on a tight schedule, or a significant defect has been found with the property.
2. How long has it been on the market for?
You should be wary of any property that’s been listed on the market for over 6 months.
Even if the market is inactive, there could be something wrong with the house or location that explains this lack of movement. Common reasons could be:
- Asking price is too high
- Defects revealed in a survey
- The local area is undesirable
- The estate agent is inefficient.
It’s often worth asking the estate agent for their opinion on why the property has been listed for so long.
But remember: they won’t always be honest. After all, their main motivation is to gain commission from a sale.
3. Are there any offers on this property?
Don’t ask about how many viewings they have had. These don’t always translate into genuine interest.
Instead, ask how many offers they have had and whether the owner is negotiating with other buyers.
Again, be aware that some estate agents bend the truth on this subject…
4. Is it freehold or leasehold?
You often know this information before you arrive to view a property. But if you are still trying to decide, ask your estate agent.
This should include follow-up questions about:
- Service charge
- Ground rent
- Lease length
- Relationship with the freeholder.
If it’s a freehold, you don’t need to worry about the above details.
But if you’re looking at a leasehold, these factors can ‘make or break’ your decision. You’ll also need to amend your budget if the annual fees are high.
5. What’s the square footage?
Once again, this should be included in the property’s online listing. But if it’s not, get this detail from the estate agent.
You can compare this number with similar properties in the area. Living space is essential, especially if you plan to have more children.
6. What are the neighbours like?
Neighbours can have a significant impact on your experience living in a house.
This is especially important if properties like terraced properties or flats are close together. You should be wary of:
- A history of disputes
- Loud noises from neighbours during your viewing
- A neighbouring property in terrible condition.
Don’t put total trust in your estate agent’s response. If they’re evasive, treat it as a major warning sign.
Your solicitor could find registered neighbour’s disputes during their searches.
7. What are the nearby schools like?
Some people care about this detail more than others.
It could be irrelevant if you don’t have any children and aren’t planning to. But it’s a crucial detail if you’ve got young children or are planning to.
Plenty of parents base their entire moving decisions on this single question, which can even affect house prices.
8. Which local amenities are in the area?
Your life becomes much easier when you live close to essential amenities. Ask your estate agents whether any of these can be found nearby:
- Park
- Public transport
- High street
- Gym
- Hospital
- Library.
Some of these could be a huge part of your daily routine.
Remember that many local amenities can sometimes translate into higher council tax.
9. Are any items included in the sale?
When you view a house, certain items could catch your eye.
Common examples include furniture, appliances, or an ornament in the garden.
It’s worth asking your estate agent whether something you like could be included in the negotiation.
It’s unlikely they’ll have the answer right away – but they can contact the homeowner to find out.
Remember that you may need to pay more if the item is costly.
10. Has any work been done on the house?
Major developments can give you a headache if the necessary permission hasn’t been obtained.
You should ask about any extensions so your solicitor can then research whether these were all completed legally.
It can also give you insight into future changes you might want to make.
If no extensions have occurred because the council has blocked it, you’ll probably face this challenge, too.
11. How is the phone and internet connectivity?
This is a crucial detail today, especially with so many people working from home.
You can’t afford to be missing phone calls while working at home.
Your estate agent is unlikely to have the answer to this question. And developers may vaguely assure you that the issue will be resolved eventually.
So, unless they can provide concrete proof, you should rely on checking your mobile while at the house.
