9 Questions To Ask When Buying A House

Mortgage Advice in Newcastle for Home Buyers

When buying a house, we all just want it to go as smoothly as possible. Now, this isn’t always possible. So, to help you out when you’re next viewing a property, we’ve put together a list of nine questions First Time Buyers in Newcastle should ask when buying a house.

9 Questions To Ask When Buying A House

1. How much interest has there been?

If you can find out what level of interest the property is generating, you’ll be able to get a better gauge of how much ‘thinking’ time you have available.

As a general rule, new properties tend to be snapped up quickly. But this doesn’t mean older properties can’t go quickly.

It’s always best to be prepared to react quickly, especially if the property is receiving a lot of interest.

2. Is there a chain?

Whether or not you are part of a chain can have a huge impact on your buying experience.

For example, if there’s no onward chain, it’s likely the process will move much more quickly.

If you’re in a position whereby you don’t need to sell your property, then you’ll have much more leverage as a buyer. Why? Because you won’t hold up the buying process and this is attractive to sellers.

3. What’s included in the sale?

You might find the previous owner is leaving some items behind such as white goods or sheds. This can be great news for buyers, but if you don’t want or need these items, you will have to factor in disposing of them.

If you are buying a new build property, there might be optional extras you can buy which will be ready for you on the day you move in.

4. What are the neighbours like?

Having great neighbours can make an average property a great place to call home. It is often a factor many people underestimate, so be sure to do your research.

If you opt to move to new development, you and your neighbours will be the ones creating the community which could be a great opportunity.

5. How much does it cost to run?

Running costs can vary wildly from house to house, so it pays to do your research. You should be thinking about things such as Council Tax, utilities and when key assets such as windows were last replaced.

Finding out this information can help you budget for each property accordingly.

6. Which way does the house face?

If you enjoy basking in natural light, the direction the house faces can make a big difference. You’ll often pay a premium for a south-facing garden as they receive the most sun throughout the day.

7. How much work will be required after moving in?

This links into question 5 a bit, but it can have a significant impact on your budget. Therefore, it’s worth asking about this separately.

Key things to enquire about are:

• Improving energy efficiency
• Addressing damp problems
• Changing the décor

8. Are you open to offers?

Negotiation is a common part of the house-buying process. Therefore, find out how to make an offer if you’re interested in the property so that you can act quickly once you decide.

If the seller or estate agent is open to it, think about discussing what may be deemed too low or too high as well as finding out if any other offers have been made and rejected.

9. When can we move in?

If you’re set on a particular property, the next thing you need to know is when you can start making the place your home.

You may have gained an inclination by asking some of the earlier questions, but by setting a date in your diary, you can plan your other jobs, such as instructing a conveyancing solicitor, packing your belongings and arranging a removal van.

We hope this handy list helps you choose which questions to ask when buying a house as a First Time Buyer.

First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle