Looking to Buy? Here are 5 Tips from the Professionals
Viewing properties for a house move is undoubtedly a very exciting time, a new home brings new opportunities, new routines and ultimately a changed lifestyle, so it's essential that you make the right decision and secure the home that’s best suited to you. You must make the most out of your viewings to ensure that you're as informed as you possibly can be when it comes to making an offer. We thought, as experienced estate agents, we would give you our top 5 tips for viewing properties.
1. Don’t be in too much of a rush to get inside. Make sure you look at the outside of the property. The insides can look great, but if the outside hasn’t been maintained, it could bring you an awful lot of problems. Is the property structurally sound? Are there any big cracks? Tiles missing on the roof? Are the drains in good condition? Are the outbuildings in good condition? You can only look for what you know and can see; a chartered surveyor with years of experience is trained to spot risks and know what needs attention, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself! At FSS we have trained RICS accredited surveyors who can do all the hard work for you.
2. Check the boiler and the consumer unit as there could be hidden costs here. Particularly if you are buying an older property, you should certainly check the electrics to see whether they are up-to-date with the current regulations.If they look old and outdated, you will probably need to invest in a new consumer unit and possibly a full rewire of the property, which can be expensive.
The type of heating system and boiler installed in the property will also be important to how high your energy bills are likely to be. The age of the system will also give you an idea of how likely you are to have to replace parts, or even the whole boiler, in the coming years. Ask to see the service certificates from the last few years. This will show you both how well the boiler has been cared for, and any issues it has previously ran into.
3. Another important thing to check and something that is often forgotten: plug sockets. Are there enough plug sockets in the house? Although it seems minor, within the new hybrid working world, a home office has become a necessity in properties, so ensuring that you can plug your laptop, your monitor and your wifi router in has never been more important!
4. What’s the water pressure like? Is it going to take an hour to fill a bath? Do you like a powerful shower? Do these things matter to you? Different people prioritise and require different things, but if powerful showers and quick baths matter to you, then it may be important to check the water pressure of the property.
5. Finally, check and read the EPC. An EPC is a certificate that shows how energy-efficient your property is. The document includes estimated energy costs, as well as a summary of the home’s energy performance-related features. EPCs also include recommendations on measures that would make your home more energy-efficient, along with estimated costs for implementing the changes and the potential savings you could make. The property will be given an energy-efficiency grade between A and G, with A being the best - ie most energy-efficient - and G being the worst.
That’s a lot to take in, we know! But don’t worry, you are certainly not alone here, if ever you need any advice, support or guidance during your moving journey, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our professionals, we are only a phone call away! 01423 501211.