Buying a home and don't know how anything works

[Cid]

And I think generally flats are less of a security worry. I'd feel pretty comfortable just leaving mine for a few months... No alarm or anything.

Clearly this is not an immediate concern mind you.

 

[hash tag]

Not if you are on the ground floor. We were burgled one night in part because we forgot to lock the garden door.

 

[Cid]

Not if you are on the ground floor. We were burgled one night in part because we forgot to lock the garden door.

True, ground floor can be trouble. Does also depend on the type of block... We've got gated yard/car park, then doors to the blocks. And all the flats overlook the entrance, which probably makes it a bit less of a proposition. Still, worst case scenario is probably no more risky than an equivalent house.

 

[Cid]

And sorry to hear about your burglary.

 

[hash tag]

It was a few years back. Lost 2 phones n cash.
Was very rattled as it happened while we were there sleeping.

 

[miss direct]

I have two viewings next week. Any tips for viewing? What should I be looking for and asking? And if I really like somewhere, what are my next steps?

 

[two sheds]

House viewing checklist - Which?

Download our property viewing checklist to make sure you ask all the right questions and don't miss any important details when you're viewing a house or flat

www.which.co.uk

 

[miss direct]

Argh. I ask the estate agent these questions? Is the property owner usually around?

 

[hash tag]

I have two viewings next week. Any tips for viewing? What should I be looking for and asking? And if I really like somewhere, what are my next steps?

CHECK EVERYTHING!
Open and close every door and window, switch everything on and off (lights, cooker, heating, plug sockets) open and close every cupboard, run every tap (to check water runs clean, it's hot/cold and runs away ok), check for signs of damp (smells and stains), check for smells which could be signs of damp/rot or fresh decorating which is hiding something.
You could be paying a lot of money for this place, don't be shy or embarrassed; check now rather than have an unexpected bill later.

 

[hash tag]

House or flat? If flat any big charges coming up for work? Whats term of remaining lease? What are the neighbours like?

 

[two sheds]

A lot of the things are for you to check when you're there. I'd have thought questions for the house owner/estate agent would be in that huge list of questions that everyone puts Not Known to every question.

 

[MBV]

Some owners opt not to be present during viewings so you need to ask the agent. Ideally you want to move in and then not be presented with any unexpected big bills like a boiler or roof.

 

[bimble]

Normally, all that detailed stuff would come on the second viewing, the first one is when you figure out if you like the place or not.
I’d not try to do much more than that, on first viewing, myself.
Take photos, if you think you like the place, and ask the agent what position the sellers are in (are they in a hurry, have they already found their new home, etc).
Also make time to walk around the immediate area a bit.

 

[bimble]

CHECK EVERYTHING!
Open and close every door and window, switch everything on and off (lights, cooker, heating, plug sockets) open and close every cupboard, run every tap (to check water runs clean, it's hot/cold and runs away ok), check for signs of damp (smells and stains), check for smells which could be signs of damp/rot or fresh decorating which is hiding something.
You could be paying a lot of money for this place, don't be shy or embarrassed; check now rather than have an unexpected bill later.

All of this with a view to what though, informing how much to offer? I think anything serious that’s what the survey is for, and all offers are provisional anyway. I mean a creaky cupboard door shouldn’t influence your decision to buy a house one way or the other should it?

 

[cybershot]

I’d actually try and do as much as you can in the first viewing that’s been listed. Especially due to covid etc.

if you do a second viewing the agent knows you’re fully interested as does the vendor and if you go in below asking price they will probably say no in the hope you up your offer. It’s all silly buggers but unfortunately you gotta play the game.

the seller isn’t normally there unless it’s purple bricks or something and the seller does the viewings. Although when I sold mine I did end up doing a lot of the viewings myself due to how busy it was at that period.I should have asked for a discount but the whole thing dragged on for so long that when it came to getting exchange and completion done I just wanted it done with.

 

[Glitter]

Back searching, as it looks like the house sale should go through in a few weeks. Somewhat dubious about buying in a city where I have no long term work or particular reason to be here, but I have no particular reason to be anywhere else either. Would it be daft to move back to Birmingham (that's where I grew up and there seem to be more opportunities there)? My money doesn't go as far there.

Seems like my budget could get me either a house in a not very nice area that may need all sorts of work, or a flat in a nice area. Tempted to go for the second option.

West Yorkshire

There’s tons of schools in walking distance you could work at. There’s three on my road

 

[hash tag]

All of this with a view to what though, informing how much to offer? I think anything serious that’s what the survey is for, and all offers are provisional anyway. I mean a creaky cupboard door shouldn’t influence your decision to buy a house one way or the other should it?

Needs to be reasonable and depends on how many issues are found. If you find one issue, there could be a few more. Find a few and you could negotiate
on the price. If there are more than a few, depending on nature of them and possibly walk away. If heating is not working properly it could be a huge bill to replace it. regardless, it is best to know what you are letting yourself in for before buying.

 

[two sheds]

Yes worth checking at least some of this rather than buying the place and then finding the cupboard doors fall off and the lights don't work.

 

[bimble]

Yep. All sensible but I still think the main thing to focus on is do you like it, can you imagine feeling happy in there. The rest, within reason, comes down to haggling over money with the vendors.

 

[hash tag]

is it a forever home or just a place to live for a year or two?

 

[Cid]

Remember that the default for estate agents is being a lying, shady twat who doesn't have a clue what they're doing... though they'll probably tell you service charge/ground rent. Take a bunch of pics. You could stick them on here or start a private conversation.

Tbh the expensive stuff is often hard to judge... Exhaustive check also a bit overwhelming to remember.

If a flat with gas run the hot taps to see whether the boiler makes weird noises (it will make some noises of course). If it has an electric cylinder er... look at it suspiciously and tut. Also, if an electric shower (it often is for letting reasons), check it works ok. Though that shouldn't be a major point as they're not too bad to replace, just something you want working when you move in (if it doesn't work, check the isolator switch is on).

Do check windows as hash tag said... Stuff like ragged carpet or damaged wardrobes shouldn't really put you off - most flats will have been rentals, and inevitably get wear and tear on those. Same goes for minor damage to walls, skirting etc. Check the taps. If gas check the hob. Also make sure that everything that's there is included in the purchase price; most flats the previous owner (probably a landlord) won't be arsed moving furniture, white goods etc... Houses previous owner might be moving all that stuff to their new place.

Keep your ears open at all times for neighbour noises.

I'd offer to help if we weren't in the middle of lockdown...

 

[two sheds]

If it has an electric cylinder er... look at it suspiciously and tut.

If Mr. Wooster, while sneering, could imply that the [cow creamer] is probably of modern Dutch manufacture, then the vendor might be the more inclined to lower his ambitions.

 

[hash tag]

My place was an ex rental, between 10 and 15 years old. Some of the bits we never managed to get clean. We replaced them when able.
I do know the snagging was not done when it was handed over from builders as auto close springs were missing from some doors and Intumescent strips from others.
What we didn't find out until we came to extend the lease was that we were not eligible to buy a share of the freehold.

 

[Cid]

My place was an ex rental, between 10 and 15 years old. Some of the bits we never managed to get clean. We replaced them when able.
I do know the snagging was not done when it was handed over from builders as auto close springs were missing from some doors and Intumescent strips from others.

New builds invariably seem to be done to the lowest expense possible... But it is at least usually pretty easy to repair and replace stuff.

What we didn't find out until we came to extend the lease was that we were not eligible to buy a share of the freehold.

Not necessarily a bad thing though - multiple freeholders can mean a bunch of moany cunts with loads of disputes. And puts additional responsibility on the owner.

 

[Cid]

I'm increasingly convinced a flat would be a better option for you by the way... I know my way around advanced DIY (make kitchens etc), and my mum's an architect, but I'd still be cautious buying a house. In times like this, with you wanting to buy fairly soon, it's a bit of a pressure situation... add to that the difficulty of getting in a mate who might be able to give you a second opinion. There are of course things you need to be wary of in buying a flat, but given it's probably a shortish term proposition it should be relatively safe.

If you don't go back to brum, I'd suggest riding down to this bit of town (Kelham Island/west bar up to St Vincent's church - though that bit is more studenty) and having a look around - it seems to be where much of the new development is focussed (there's also some near the main station, but imagine that's more expensive). Low rise flats with gated courtyards probably better propositions... If there's scaffolding, they'll be replacing cladding, so make inquiries. Kelham island proper is a bit expensive, but worth a look - there are some good new builds, and there's a very nice converted silver works called Cornish Place by Ball Street bridge. Come the normal times it also has excellent pubs.

I hasten to add that I just quite like this area... as a not-quite-settled type it has served me well. For long-term prospects I'd probably be looking at Sharrow, Nether Edge, Crookes and the like.

Checking up it seems they might be applying the cladding rules to still lower developments, so just be wary of that in general. And ask what system was used.

 

[Elpenor]

One point to mention, which makes buying a bit more fraught currently is I don’t think you’re allowed to touch anything in the house.

The estate agent might open fitted cupboards etc for you, but I think chances of testing services etc are minimal.

I would ask to get an internet speed test personally

 

[mauvais]

You can find out realistic internet speed using the BT Wholesale checker tool.

 

[bellaozzydog]

I have two viewings next week. Any tips for viewing? What should I be looking for and asking? And if I really like somewhere, what are my next steps?

never gush with enthusiasm for a place in front of the estate lizard

take a sheaf of other property details with you and make sure the estate lizards knows this is one of many properties you are looking at


I take an onside plumber and general builder with me to tut shake their heads suck their teeth kick skirting boards and highlight any issues I pay them for their time and as well as putting the estate lizard on a back foot I get a realistic report on what needs doing and a ball park figure for it

ask about the vendors reason for selling.

I’ll stop there I’m probably just repeating a lot of other stuff/teaching egg sucking

 

[cybershot]

One point to mention, which makes buying a bit more fraught currently is I don’t think you’re allowed to touch anything in the house.

The estate agent might open fitted cupboards etc for you, but I think chances of testing services etc are minimal.

I would ask to get an internet speed test personally

you should be advised to wear a mask and gloves.

 

[miss direct]

Thanks for all the comments. Will catch up later.