Property Viewing - First Time Buyers
If you're a first time buyer and looking to view properties then it may all seem like a bit of a mystery to you. Don't worry - it needn't be.
For each property viewing that you carry out it is worth making sure that you go armed with a list of questions that you want to ask, or details that you need to find out about. Some of these may be available on the details that you receive from estate agents, although it's always worth checking for yourself.
Some things will be obvious, such as whether the property has a garden but it's worth investigating which direction the house and garden face. There's no point thinking about summer evenings spent sipping glasses of cold wine in the garden if the outside of the property never receives and sunshine in the evenings.
It's worth considering the likely council tax payments, as well as the parking situation at the property. For instance, if there is no garage or off-street parking available, then will you have to pay for a parking permit? If so, what are the annual charges? All such expenses can add up, so it's definitely worth being clear about the overall cost of the property purchase and any ongoing costs.
Many advisors say to ask the current sellers about the neighbours. This is probably worth doing, as you may gain some useful information. If, however, the sellers have had problems with their neighbours in the past then it may be that they will not openly tell you about any such issues, or may seek to underplay them.
If there are particular details that are important to you and your family then its also well worth doing the research. For example, do you need to know about the location and quality of the local schools? What about transport links and other local facilities?
As you can see, the questions soon mount up! You'll also need to ask questions about the mechanics of the potential property purchase, such as whether there's a chain and how quickly the sellers would be looking to move.
The aim of the property viewing is to get as much information as you can - you should be looking to make an informed decision. Under no circumstances allow yourself to be hurried. If you're really interested in looking at a property then spend time on the viewing and try to arrange a second viewing, ideally at a different time of the day and week.
See Also:
First Time Buyers, Finding Estate Agents, Winchester Estate Agents