Deciding to go from renting a home to purchasing one is an incredibly exciting move, but it’s also one which is fraught with red tape and tension aplenty. And that tension is only amplified by recent reports of an ongoing and worsening mortgage crisis here in the UK, with rising interest rates wreaking havoc on the market.
Because this purchase is symbolic of your graduation to a level of financial maturity and lifelong stability, which may help you properly settle down, it’s one which shouldn’t be taken lightly. Instead, you should exercise inquisition, caution and due diligence at every turn.
In the very first stages of seeking somewhere suitable, there are several key enquiries you should be making. These are those; our 8 questions to ask in the early stages of house hunting.
Does The Neighbourhood Have A Good Sense Of Community?
One of the first things that you should do when you’re considering purchasing a home is to check the neighbourhood that it’s located within scrupulously. Because when you’re buying a house, it’s not just the bricks and mortar which define whether you’ll be happy there. Just as important is the area, its atmosphere and vibe, and whether it’s a convenient place to spend time.
Top of the list of importance are:
- To check the schools in the local area for your children to attend
- To understand the kind of community that you’ll be moving into and engaging with
- To see if the neighbours are welcoming, positive, open-minded folk
So, during the house hunt, spend time in the neighbourhood, enjoying a coffee and a stroll, striking up conversations, and getting a feel for the area. Intuition and a certain sixth sense are invaluable here; if you feel in your gut that a place is well suited to you, then it probably is!
Are There Developments Planned In The Area?
It’s an honest truth of any diligent house hunt: Asking the right questions can often yield answers you weren’t perhaps prepared to hear.
And so it goes when looking to learn if there are any developments planned in the area. This could have a positive or negative effect on the future valuation of your potential property, but it’s essential to be well informed on any plans for the neighbourhood, as this will affect your quality of life and the property’s value.
Your property’s value is likely to inflate over time, but planned developments in the area will have a huge impact on by just how much. If there’s massive regeneration and added transport links happening soon, then result! But if a future development – like a noisy nightclub or sports stadium – might put off future investment and dominate the neighbourhood, then you may want to exercise caution. It’s these kinds of considerations that you will need to keep in mind if you’re looking to make money selling the property on.
What Does A Local Conveyancing Lawyer Think?
In the UK, when making a house purchase, you leave the conveyancing to a professional lawyer, who’ll help you to figure out the right questions to ask according to the specifics of your potential new property.
The key thing to remember here is that you don’t need to be a property expert yourself in order to get the advice you need from a trusted ally in your house move. You’ll need the trusted advice of experience residential conveyancing lawyers or online conveyancing solicitors to help you to understand the kind of investment you’re making in the property – and to check if there’s any hidden costs or damage to the home that you should know about. This second opinion will be invaluable in the process.
Is The House Listed Or Is It In A Conservation Area?
Not all listed, protected buildings are immediately obvious as being so, or boast a particularly grand, historic appearance. Neither does a conservation area necessarily appear full of wildlife and biodiversity. Sometimes, the true value (and therefore, restrictions) of an area isn’t clear to the naked eye.
Therefore, it’s absolutely crucial that you check if the property you’re considering purchasing is listed or standing in a conservation area, as this will significantly affect any changes you’d like to make the property, extensions you might add, even colour schemes you might change.
You can check if the property is listed via Historic England’s official database and if it’s in a conservation area via your local council’s website.
How Much Are The Bills?
It might sound uncouth, inconsequential even, to ask about the finer details, such as bill and utility costs, at the early stages of a property viewing. If they’re disproportionately high, or there are discrepancies with average costs in the area, then it’s a good indication of the function of the central heating and water flow, as well as the internet and electricity, and therefore, telling of the state of the property as a whole. Relatively large bills should serve as a warning. Council tax is also highly variable and can differ even from street to street, so check this too.
What Are The Energy Efficiency & Environmental Factors?
Inextricably linked with the cost of bills, environmental sustainability is an issue that more people are concerned about, and this extends to our homes. Inspect the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which will give you a clearer insight into the house’s energy efficiency.
The EPC will include estimated energy costs and offer suggestions for improvement. Considering the environmental impacts of your future home demonstrates a responsible and forward-thinking approach to house hunting.
How Flexible Are The Sellers?
When attending property viewings, it’s essential to gather information on the seller’s motivations and property chain status – this can influence your offer and the overall speed of the transaction. If the seller has already secured their next home or requires a quick sale, they may be more open to reasonable offers, representing an opportunity for potential cost savings.
What Is The History Of Previous Sales?
Understanding the property’s sales history can offer invaluable insights into its market value and potential investment worth. A quick Land Registry search will reveal previous sale prices, helping you gauge whether the current asking price is reasonable given historical trends. Be particularly mindful of properties that have changed hands frequently in a short period – this could either signal an excellent investment opportunity or hint at underlying issues that have prompted previous owners to sell quickly.
Look out for any significant price jumps or drops between sales, as these might indicate major renovations, structural problems, or changes in the local area that have affected the property’s value. This historical context, combined with current market conditions, will help you make a more informed decision about whether the property represents good value for money.