9 Questions to Ask When Buying A House in Derby

First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Derby

When it comes to the homebuyer experience, first time buyers in Derby like yourself can find it stressful. It doesn’t have to be that way. Listed below are nine common questions to ask when enquiring about a property that will allow you to make the most out of your house viewing and provide you with some peace of mind.

The 9 most common questions:

1. How much interest has there been in the property/development?

Buying a property can be one of, if not the biggest financial commitment in your life.Therefore, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a good think about whether or not you want to commit to buying a property.

You only have so much time to think about it due to the interest your dream property may be getting. It’s best to find out how many people have viewed your desired property to understand how much ‘thinking’ time you may have before making a final decision. Furthermore, if the property receives a lot of interest, you need to be ready to have a final answer as soon as possible. 

2. Is there a property chain?

A property chain can notably impact some areas of your mortgage process and in particular, how quickly you would be able to move in.

If there is no onward chain, it’s likely the moving process will be swift, especially if you are not part of a chain yourself. Another factor that could speed up the process is if you don’t need to sell your property first. This is because you will not be holding up the home buying process.

Remember to use this tactic when negotiating a price.

3. What comes with the sale?

Some previous homeowners like to leave items behind as a way to save on costs, which could be a big advantage for you. A washing machine, fridge, freezer are just a few they might include, or typically a shed if the property has a garden. 

On the condition the appliances work, it’s a benefit to new buyers as it saves them a bit of cash until they get something new and modern, however, you will have to factor in disposing of them should you not want or need the items.

If you buy a new property, you might have the option to purchase any extras that are brand new and there for you on your moving day.

4. Are the neighbours friendly?

Finding out what your neighbours are like can be a key component to consider when deciding on a property as a good or bad neighbour can make or break your experience. Furthermore, this is especially helpful if you’re moving into an area you are not exactly familiar with.

Deciding to move to new homes can be a risk initially because you won’t know what your neighbor will be like. First impressions are not always important, but it’s always handy to get on with them as you may both be living there for a long time. 

5. How much does it cost to run?

The amount spent on running costs can depend on where the property is in Derby. For this reason, it’s best to ask the right questions as well as doing some research. Topics to look into or ask your seller could be how much the council tax is or the average spend on utilities. As well as being good information to know, it also can help you budget for each property accordingly. 

6. Which way does the house face?

Questions like this can make a significant difference in the decision process because a south-facing garden can be a requirement for some. It’s perfect for relaxing in the garden in late summer evenings as well as reading with natural light. You may find that some locations pay for a more premium price in order to have a south-facing garden because it’s where the position of the sun is throughout most of the day. 

7. After moving in, how much work will be needed?

Here is another significant impact on your budget. Information to find out that may be essential to know include:

• Making sure the property is energy efficient.
• Sorting any damping issues (if any).
• Changing the furnishing.

8. Are you open to offers?

A typical of the house-buying process is negotiating on a property price. Because of this, it’s key to be as prepared as possible to make an offer on a property that you like. If you are looking to improve negotiating on a property price and being one step ahead click here.

To get an idea of how low in price the seller would want to go, it’s best to chat with the seller or estate agent. Also, ask if any other offers have been made and rejected before your bid.

9. When can we move in?

When planning what you need to do before moving in, it’s best to set out the date of moving first. From this, you can plan out other jobs such as instructing a conveyancing solicitor, packing your belongings, and arranging a removal van to transport your belongings to the new property.

Moving Home Mortgage Advice in Derby