Buying a home is the single biggest investment you’re ever likely to make, so it’s surprising that we don’t really spend that much time in a property before making an offer.
It’s important to take full advantage of any viewing time you have, so we’ve put together a list of must-ask questions to take with you so you can get a wider picture of the home you’re interested in.
What’s the local area like?
Someone who has lived in the property for some time will be able to offer insight into how they find day-to-day life in the area. Just a general question like this will give you a good overall vibe, and you can strengthen that through your own impressions and research.
Is the property part of a chain?
It’s helpful to know whether or not the sellers have already purchased their new home and are now just looking for a buyer. Property chains are common, but getting an idea on potential timescale will help you to plan your own move.
Are there any issues with parking or traffic?
You can also test this yourself by driving around the area either before or after a viewing. It’ll also help to keep in mind how difficult it may be for a removal truck to reach the property – as this could affect your removals quote. If a problem is raised, ask the current owners how they tackled it, whether it’s a regular problem, or if they had any trouble moving into the property itself.
What are the neighbours like?
Don’t expect too much detail from this one, although that’s not really why you’re asking. The kind of answer they provide should paint enough of a picture for you. If they do share a few specific details, it suggests a friendly environment. You could also rephrase the question, instead asking something like: ‘So, are there other families next door?’ Or something similar. This could give you a nugget of information about the kind of people you may soon be living next to, which you can then use when making your decision.
How long has the property been on the market?
An important question that could give you some insight into the popularity of the house. If it’s been up for sale for a while – the better part of a year, for instance – there could be some underlying issues putting people off. Or, it could be that the asking price is too high. Gauging how well the marketing of the house is going could be to your advantage.
How is the internet speeds and phone signal?
Whether you plan to work from home, binge-watch Netflix, spend hours chatting on the phone – or all of the above – then these will be vital to you. With how much we rely on consistent internet connection nowadays, fast speeds and a reliable service are essential for many. Finding out who the current provider is, how smooth their connection is and whether or not certain phone networks perform badly in the area are all handy things to know in advance of moving in.
How old is the…?
This one covers many possible questions regarding the age – and possible condition – of various appliances, fixtures and structural aspects of the house.
The boiler is always worth finding out about, so ask how old it is and when the last time it was serviced or replaced. Boilers over ten years old could pose a problem for you, but if there’s a nice modern boiler installed then you can feel a bit more at ease.
Also follow the same line of inquiry with the roof and windows to see if you can glean anything about future work you might need to do. A full house survey should identify most issues – if any – but it always helps to be aware of things early on. If the answers put you off, you’ll have saved both time and money.
What’s it like living here?
A decent conversation starter and a good way of getting an overview of what life may be like for you should you move in. You can get some information about local amenities, shops, pubs, schools and the like, as well as some knowledge about the neighbourhood and social life in general. When looking for a home, buyers will try to envision themselves living in the property they’re viewing, and a strong part of that imaging will be thinking about the surrounding town, village or city. Do some research about the area beforehand and ask the sellers about anything nearby that interests you, from cost of living to particular hobbies and activities, they might have some insight that will strengthen your image of the property and the location as a whole.
Once you’ve found a property you like and finalised a sale, the next step is to find a reliable removals company to do all the heavy lifting. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® we are proud to provide a comprehensive removals service to help you settle straight into your brand new home. We offer a full packing service, and our moves are fully insured for your peace of mind. No matter how large or small your move, we are here to help, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.