No one ever said that buying a new house would be easy. It is a stressful process, but you can arm yourself with a series of questions to get yourself off to the right start.
It may seem intrusive, but you need to ensure that the house you buy fits all your criteria. Money is one issue you should address, but once that is out of the way there is a lot more information you should consider.
Whether you ask the real estate agent or the seller directly, Here are the 8 Important Questions to Ask When Viewing a Property.
When?
Sometimes, a property is put on the market after the original owners have moved on to somewhere new. They may choose to rent the house until it sells, but if not, you may be faced with a building that has been standing empty for a long time.
Therefore, you should always ask your real estate agent when the property was first put on the market.
A house that has been on the market for a long time may put you in a better position to negotiate. Sellers that are struggling to offload their previous home may start to feel the pinch, which means you can offer below the asking price.
However, if a lower offer is rejected then it may be a sign that there are other problems with the house. This means it is worth asking some more questions.
Why?
If the seller isn’t around, then your real estate agent should know why the previous owner chose to sell the house. This information could give you a clue about what type of home you are buying.
For example, a seller that has recently moved on to expand their family may have revealed that the neighborhood isn’t child friendly, or perhaps the home isn’t sufficient for expansion.
If you are planning on starting your own family soon, a situation like this could reveal that this type of property isn’t for you. This is just one example, but try to decipher what the previous seller tells you about their choice to move on from the property.
What?
Buying a home is all about negotiation, and you can only strategize effectively if you know exactly what you can bring to the table. Fortunately, a home viewing can help you in this regard.
There are several objects that can make a house move difficult, and you can use these items as part of your bargaining tactics. Always enquire about what the previous owner plans on leaving behind, and you may end up getting some white goods for a great price.
Anyone worried about purchasing their own appliances for the first time may rest easier knowing that these goods are included in the house price.
Age?
The age of a house is an important factor. It will give you a feel for what type of structure to expect so you can prepare for any issues that come with this era of housing. However, there are other components that come with the house that will be affected by age.
The electrical wiring and plumbing inside the property will both degrade over time, and in some instances, this degradation could be quite dangerous.
An older pipe is more susceptible to a leak, and an older electrical wire is more likely to short out. Some homeowners will upgrade these utilities during their time at the property.
However, that isn’t a guarantee. That is why it is necessary to ask about these objects before making an offer on the property.
You don’t want to put down a serious sum of money for a house only to find out that you need to spend more money replacing these items. The previous owner will have passed on any information about the important house components, so you should know the age of these objects before you put an offer down.
Maintenance
Depending on how long the previous owner was living at the property, they may have had major work done to the house.
This construction work may contradict some of the information that is available to your real estate agent, so it is a good idea to compare their notes with the current layout of the house.
You will need to know when this work was done, who did it and for what price. Unfortunately, there have been instances where a seller has quickly put up an extension to increase the property value but did so through illegitimate means.Â
This is a rare instance, but one that you should be wary of. Ask the right questions and you can avoid falling into a financial trap like this.
Neighborhood
As you well know, there is more to life than the property you live in. Your neighborhood will drastically affect your quality of life, which is why it is important to take this factor into account when searching for a property.
A neighborhood refers to the surrounding house and the people inside them, local amenities, and transport links. Each one of these elements can disrupt your way of life if they are not what you have come to expect, so make sure you do your research to discover whether this is a place you really want to live.
Affordability?
Once you have worked out whether you want to make an offer on the property, you need to establish whether not you can afford it. The answers to the questions above should have strengthened your standings for the upcoming negotiations. However, there is still a lot more work to be done.
A mortgage advisor or your choice or real estate agent will be able to inform you about whether you can afford the homes for sale that you are interested in. Head online, and a real estate agent with sufficient knowledge to advise you correctly.
Remember, buying a home involves more than just saving up for a deposit. The mortgage lender will also require proof that you can afford the monthly payments on your current salary. Get these details laid out, and it will be advantageous when it is time to make your offer.
Accessibility?
This question may not be necessary, depending on your circumstances. However, there are several reasons why an individual may require their home to be accessible. If you are elderly, you may need your home to have ample parking space for visitors.
If you have additional needs, you may need to convert the home so it meets your current living requirements.
Again, the people showing you the property should be able to provide you with any details that refer to accessibility. Keep an eye out when viewing the property, though, as only you know exactly what you need to live comfortably in this new space.
Summary
As you can see, there is a lot of information you need to obtain before you even think about putting an offer down on a property for sale. Keep these questions in mind when viewing a home for sale, and you should find that your new property is exactly what you were looking for.
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