The housing market reopened on June 15 to allow house moves to take place. This guidance document sets out how to make sure key activities surrounding the re-opening of the housing market happen safely
Viewing a house - be prepared
Before you go to look at a house, do some background research on the property and the area so that you don't waste time seeing something that does not meet your needs:
- if possible, take someone else with you - preferably someone with different tastes - who may spot things that you miss
- view the property in daylight when it will be easier to spot problems
- if you really like a property, try to arrange to view it again at a different time of the day to give you a another perspective
- it's your money you're spending - so don't be afraid to ask direct and blunt questions about the property
- take your time, be nosey and don't be pressurised by the estate agent or vendor into making an offer
- try not to view too many properties in one day
The house
Things to look for inside the house and questions to ask:
- does the property need updating - if so how much will this cost
- is the property in a conservation area or a listed building and could this restrict any future alterations
- are the rooms big enough for your needs
- what is included in the sale - for example land, garage, furniture, fittings
- are the views good
- what is the cost of rates and the average costs of utility bills such as electricity or gas
- why are the sellers moving
- does the house have full central heating and if so how old is it
- how is the water heated
- have there been any problems with the boiler and when was it last serviced by a skilled engineer
- if there is a loft, has this been insulated and if so how long ago
- does the property have cavity wall insulation
- has the property been altered in any way and if so are the relevant planning and building control consents available to see
- is there any sign of subsidence such as major cracks in the walls or the doors sticking
- is there a smell of damp or any other sign such as the walls feeling damp, the wallpaper peeling/paint bubbling, watermarks or mould
- do the window frames have cracking paint (if you can press your finger easily into the wood, it's rotten)
- has the room recently been decorated and if so why (a problem might lie underneath)
- how much storage space is there
- are there enough power points and how old do they look
- does it feel like it could be your home
Rates
To find out how much rates you will have to pay on your home, go to:
The location
You should also make sure the location meets your needs. Things to think about include:
- nearby main roads, pubs, clubs or restaurants - they can be handy, but also noisy
- nearby railway lines or overhead flight paths
- the feel of the community - does it seem friendly
- the aspect of the house - does it get enough light
- is the property well maintained
- the age of the property
- garden size
- the condition of nearby properties
- how good or near is the public transport
- are the local schools good
- are there any known plans for development in the area
- what are the local amenities like - such as shops, hospitals, leisure facilities
- what is the crime level like in the area
- what are the neighbours like, are they noisy
- has there ever been a dispute with the neighbours (or anyone living nearby)