Buying a home and don't know how anything works

[bimble]

If you know the drive name and what not zoopla is a good tool for seeing what the estimate values are, and what has sold recently and for how much, you can then probably figure out if its over priced or not.

Disagree on the usefulness of zoopla, or at least i'd caveat heavily, zoopla knows almost nothing about the condition of a property, which can make massive difference in value, and is only really useful in a densely populated area with many similar properties, plenty of recent sales etc. So yeah look at it but dont take its estimated value too seriously imo.

 

[Cloo]

My top tips after buying 3 places and selling 2:

• Avoid leasehold if possible, though if you can only afford flats you might not have much choice - check out everything about the leasehold if there is one.
• Don't let estate agents rush or manipulate you into anything - they'll do anything see the sale through, if you're feeling harrassed by them or worried by something they say, call your solicitor, they will give you the true picture and won't bullshit you.
• Get a RICS surveyor to look a place over, ideally one who's been operating in the area for a long time as they'll know the local building stock really well - be prepared that a lot of stuff will probably come up on it, it doesn't mean the place is terrible. You can phone the surveyor to talk through any points you don't understand and, if necessary, ask what is a reasonable amount off to ask for in order to address a defect

 

[equationgirl]

I think my ISAs are full. I also have a help to buy ISA but you can only get the bonus if you get a mortgage.
Is it worth speaking to someone at the bank?

You could get a mortgage, then pay it off soon after buying it, perhaps? Or does help to buy exclude you doing that?

 

[equationgirl]

Like danny la rouge I live in Scotland where things are a bit different, so I can't help with specific process stuff, but what Cloo says is good advice.

I would add:

- decorate and get new carpets before you have a lot of furniture, if possible, although it might take a few months to get used to a place and know how you want to decorate it.

- if you're not sure if building work can be done, get a builder to walk through the property with you, see if you really can knock that wall through or not. No point in buying somewhere it turns out you can't actually change.

- make a list of things you are looking for in a property, and marks which are essential. I always go for property with gas central heating and double glazing, carpets in the bedrooms but wood floors elsewhere. Something easy to clean floorwise in the bathroom. Original features are nice but not as useful as heating and decent windows.

- visit an area at night time as well as during the day if you are able.

 

[WouldBe]

Yeah, I would recommend a full survey unless you're buying a new build. They are expensive but may save you many thousands of pounds in the long run.

Having seen the state of some new builds I would still get a survey. Yes you will be covered by the nhbc guarantee but it will give you peace of mind that nothing is wrong with the place.

 

[hash tag]

So is it a case of, if you reckon you know why it's been up for a while, you're probably correct?

It might of course not be mortgageable because of type of construction or some such like.

You could get a mortgage, then pay it off soon after buying it, perhaps? Or does help to buy exclude you doing that?

Could end up paying lots of fees if not careful.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

My rules are don’t buy leasehold

DON’t buy leasehold

Don’t buy leasehold

Definately avoid leasehold if you can.

Avoid leasehold.

 

[kebabking]

I'd not wipe my arse with the NHBC Guarantee as I only use quality stuff....

 

[Puddy_Tat]

- Some have suffered horribly at the hands of former owners with more money than taste: those that have their original interior features are often nicer and slightly more expensive than those that don't.

Round here the local housing bylaws mandated from about 1880 that houses had to have two access points to the street, so although I'm mid-terrace my neighbour on one side and I both have a flying freehold over an alley between the ground floors. I don't know how common this was, but I doubt Hull was the only place to do it.

Lincoln is similar - lots of terraces have archways between each pair of houses, so you have a door to the alleyway shared between two houses, and the two front doors face each other in the middle. it can be a pain in the tail if your neighbour is a twat.

 

[miss direct]

A lot of replies to catch up on. Very very useful, thank you.

There's not a lot here that isn't leasehold, even houses. But I got the point.

Here's two other places I'm looking at, but they're both flats and both leasehold...

Check out this 2 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

2 bedroom apartment for sale in 5 Hibberd Place, Sheffield, S6 for £117,000. Marketed by Purplebricks, covering Sheffield

www.rightmove.co.uk

Nice area, nice building, but no garden. Lease fees £25 a year.

Check out this 3 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom apartment for sale in Hall Park Head, Sheffield, S6 £120,000. Marketed by Redbrik, South West Sheffield

www.rightmove.co.uk

Easy access to countryside/Peak District, garden, big. Leasehold of 98 years, fee of about £60 a year.

I'd really like somewhere I can just move in right away. What does "guide price" mean?

 

[colacubes]

Lots of great advice here. Would say if you are thinking of getting lodgers at some point you might want to think about bathrooms. For example that Hall Park Head flat has a very small bathroom for 3 reasonably sized bedrooms. Yes there’s an extra loo but I don’t think that would be sufficient for 2-3 non related adults.

 

[hash tag]

"guide price" could translate as offers in the region of.

 

[spanglechick]

It’s a small thing, and needn’t be a deal-breaker, but be aware when looking at listings that curtains, blinds and lampshades/ceiling lights, and freestanding white goods (fridge, washing machine...) are not part of the sale unless specifically agreed.

 

[cybershot]

What does "guide price" mean?

Exactly that. Although it's usually reserved for auctions. Though nothing in that advert to imply its going to auction. Normally they would say offers in the region of, or offers above rather than guide price. At least down here they would anyway.

 

[bimble]

I think guide price means they are open to offers.

Like others have said, you’re basically the buyer that everybody wants, if you don’t need a mortgage it makes everything quicker and simpler, so people who really want to move would probably take a lower offer from you than from other (non cash) buyers.

 

[cybershot]

It’s a small thing, and needn’t be a deal-breaker, but be aware when looking at listings that curtains, blinds and lampshades/ceiling lights, and freestanding white goods (fridge, washing machine...) are not part of the sale unless specifically agreed.

Indeed, assume nothing is included including the light bulbs and even any fitted kitchen utilitles. Although only a twonk would go as far as removing every light bulb and removing a fitted hob and oven. It's always worth asking when you view, but the brocure will usually say if fitted kitchen utilities are included.

When you've agreed the sale, the seller will provide you with a fixtures and fittings sheet, in here it will detail what comes with the house down to any paint tins that might be left in the shed. In this sheet the seller will usually indicate if they are willing to sell any white goods separately. Usually done via your solicitors who will deal with the transfers of cash throughout.

 

[miss direct]

It’s a small thing, and needn’t be a deal-breaker, but be aware when looking at listings that curtains, blinds and lampshades/ceiling lights, and freestanding white goods (fridge, washing machine...) are not part of the sale unless specifically agreed.

That's ok. I would rather get my own curtains...white goods would be useful but easy enough to pick up locally.

 

[spanglechick]

That's ok. I would rather get my own curtains...white goods would be useful but easy enough to pick up locally.

It is worth asking. Depending on the seller’s situation they might throw them in. And curtains are expensive! The first time anyone buys curtains it’s pretty standard to be really shocked.

 

[equationgirl]

That's ok. I would rather get my own curtains...white goods would be useful but easy enough to pick up locally.

You say that about curtains, but they can be pricey if the windows don't fit standard curtain sizes, especially if you need a non-standard drop (length). IKEA do a drop of 2.5m in some styles but not all, and 2.5 is generally not going to be long enough if you have high ceilings.

So if they're a colour and style you can live with, and they're included, I would keep them for now.

Keep the white goods if they're in working order. Even if they die after a year, you've had the money for an extra year.

 

[equationgirl]

spanglechick curtains jinx!

 

[hash tag]

Be warned, "cash buyers only" is usually a good sign of a problem. Round here, it often means very short lease. Not sure about this though. I'm guessing ex local authority, but that's not a problem.

Check out this Studio flat for sale on Rightmove

Studio flat for sale in Arthur Court, Charlotte Despard Avenue, SW11 £185,000. Marketed by Eden Harper , Battersea

www.rightmove.co.uk

 

[bimble]

A lot of replies to catch up on. Very very useful, thank you.

There's not a lot here that isn't leasehold, even houses. But I got the point.

Here's two other places I'm looking at, but they're both flats and both leasehold...

Check out this 2 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

2 bedroom apartment for sale in 5 Hibberd Place, Sheffield, S6 for £117,000. Marketed by Purplebricks, covering Sheffield

www.rightmove.co.uk

Nice area, nice building, but no garden. Lease fees £25 a year.

Check out this 3 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom apartment for sale in Hall Park Head, Sheffield, S6 £120,000. Marketed by Redbrik, South West Sheffield

www.rightmove.co.uk

Easy access to countryside/Peak District, garden, big. Leasehold of 98 years, fee of about £60 a year.

I'd really like somewhere I can just move in right away. What does "guide price" mean?

The first one looks like it’s share of freehold, which is a plus.
There is something very weird going on in the second ones bathroom, maybe bath was removed as previous owner had mobility issues, would need work anyway.

I don’t know where you’re getting the ‘fee per year’ numbers from?
The thing to ask is how much the annual “service charge” is, if you’re looking at flats.

but if you can afford your own little house with your own front door, I’d definitely consider carefully before going for a leasehold flat.

 

[purenarcotic]

When you get curtains, don’t for fuck’s sake wash them without reading the instructions. I know this, because I washed my thermal curtains in the machine and the backing came off and I had to get new ones because it looked like someone had taken a shit all over them.

 

[WouldBe]

You say that about curtains, but they can be pricey if the windows don't fit standard curtain sizes, especially if you need a non-standard drop (length). IKEA do a drop of 2.5m in some styles but not all, and 2.5 is generally not going to be long enough if you have high ceilings.

There was no IKEA round here when I bought so I had to make the curtains myself.

 

[Roadkill]

Although only a twonk would go as far as removing every light bulb and removing a fitted hob and oven.

Tbf my sister and her ex did it as a minor act of revenge on a buyer who'd buggered them about for weeks. They didn't take anything actually listed in the brochure, but they did remove every single light bulb and most of the door handles!

 

[miss direct]

I bought my bedroom curtains for £10 from Wilko Hated the ones the landlady had in.

bimble - the figures for yearly fees came from the advert and for the second one, I emailed and asked.

 

[komodo]

Whilst you’re waiting for your cash to come through look at as many places as you can to get an idea of areas and what you could buy. Depending on the property market - you may have to act really quickly and decisively to get a decent property. More so than if you were buying a pair of shoes.
And just because you’re in a position to complete and move quickly- it doesn’t necessarily follow that the purchase will happen smoothly! Unless you go for somewhere that’s marketed for a quick sale.

 

[bimble]

I bought my bedroom curtains for £10 from Wilko Hated the ones the landlady had in.

bimble - the figures for yearly fees came from the advert and for the second one, I emailed and asked.

Hmm. Might be ‘ground rent’ figures. Service charge will be quite a lot more. It’s your share of the insurance & maintenance of the block, so will vary year to year (if roof needs fixing etc) but always more than £25 a year.

 

[baldrick]

Check out this 3 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom terraced house for sale in Loxley New Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S6 for £120,000. Marketed by Reeds Rains, Hillsborough

www.rightmove.co.uk

What about this one? Much like bimble i love looking for houses for other people - all of the fun, none of the pressure.

 

[miss direct]

Oh I know this one. It's been up for a while. It's on a busy road, which is off putting. Loads of cars whizzing right past the living room window.