Viewing A Property
What should I ask the agent before viewing a property?
The last thing you want to do is waste your time. If you're coming some distance, make sure you ask relevant questions before you leave, things like, if it's a lease hold, what is the lease length? What are the service charge on outgoings? But you need to be very specific about what you want to know as well. Has the property got parking? Is it close to schools? Make absolutely sure you ask those questions before you leave.
Should I view a property without an agent?
If you like a property and you get the opportunity to view it a second time without the agent being there, I think that gives you a really good opportunity to try and strike a deal with the seller. You're more likely to get a seller to agree to your figure if an agent's not present and that's a big advantage to you.
What time of day should I view a property?
When viewing a property, as a bear minimum you should view a property in daylight. It's also very important if you're thinking of living in a place, to view it in its least flattering time. For most people, this viewing time is going to be when all the kids are back, seeing whether or not it is noisy in the vicinity. There also may be a road that's going to be busy in rush hour. Therefore, is very important that you go back to view and check that property out yourself, at the specific times that worry you.
What flaws should make me avoid a property?
The sort of things you should avoid when you're buying a property are short leases, basement flats, noisy roads. If you're buying a flat, again, a walk-up. Those are really the basic things you should avoid.
What questions should I ask when viewing a property?
It's important obviously to ask why someone is selling a property, and that will impinge possibly on how you formulate your offer and that sort of thing. I think it's very important also to ask someone why they bought the property in the first place. If they wanted to buy it for a certain reason, the chances are that's the reason you'll want to buy it.
How many times should I view a property before I make an offer?
I think you'll know everything you need to know about a property after two viewings. You have to understand that if you go back more than twice, the estate agent is going to start to think you're a bit of a time-waster.
Should I question prospective neighbours?
One of the best ways of finding out about the property you want to live in is to talk to the neighbors. Now, the English aren't very good at knocking on doors, but it's by far and away the best way of finding out about the area and the property. It will also give you a bit of an insight into what your neighbors are going to be like.
