DON’T FORGET THESE 5 CHECKS WHEN BUYING A HOME

Buying a home is an expensive and important decision. Certain properties may seem perfect on the surface but there could be hidden problems that could be costly in the future.

Before the deed gets signed over to you, make sure that you’ve made these five checks.

Check the Energy Report

Every home being sold should come with an energy report. This is down to the seller to arrange and should come as an official document. An energy report tells you how energy efficient a property is. This could affect the amount you pay in energy bills in the future.

You may be willing to buy an uninsulated home if you have enough to pay for insulation installation yourself. However, if you can’t afford improvements such as insulation you could end up having to suffer high heating bills.

Get the Property Surveyed

It’s worth getting a property professionally checked for wear and tear. Whilst you may be able to see some damage that needs repairing, there could be hidden damage in the walls and foundations. Companies such as Allcott Associates Chartered Surveyors can identify this damage and prevent you potentially buying a property that cost you thousands in future repairs.

Occasionally, the seller may have done a surveyor report before selling, which could save you hiring a surveyor yourself.

Working with an experienced, trained, and professional surveyor will allow you the comfort and freedom that is necessary. They’ll have more of an eye for detail than you and will have seen plenty of similar instances in the past. They’ll also be backed up by the likes of surveyor insurance – unlike yourself, so they’ll be able to cover themselves should any small mistakes become apparent. This is a significant investment and commitment, so you’ll want the details to be airtight and the flaws to be snuffed out immediately.

Research Local Crime Stats

When considering the location, don’t just focus on what facilities are nearby. It could be worth delving into local crime stats at sites like Check My Street. This could prevent you moving into an area that’s popular for burglars or vandals.

Look into Planning Permission

Planning permission is also worth looking into if you have plans to renovate the property. Some properties may be restricted when it comes to building extensions or removing trees. This could be due to a property being built on protected land, neighbourhood concerns or a property’s history which requires it to be conserved.

Talk to the Neighbours

Talking to the neighbours can be beneficial for a multitude of reasons. Firstly and foremost, you’ll get a good idea as to what kind of people your neighbours are from talking to them. Secondly, they may live in a similar property to yours, and so will be able to warn you of any problems they’ve had in the past such as burglaries, flooding, rodent infestations or problems with other neighbours. They’re likely to also know the area well and so can tell you a bit about the community and what services are nearby.

For a detailed conversation, you may want to plan a meeting with a neighbour or you could try visiting a local pub or café and talking to some of the locals. If people have lots of praises to offer about the location, there’s a good chance that it’s the right place to move to.

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Don’t Forget These 5 Checks When Buying a Home