I Am a Property Consultant. Here are Questions To Ask When Buying a House?

As Property Consultants we have experience with all that goes with the process of buying a house. Here are the 10 key questions we recommend you should ask when buying a house before, during or after the viewing – and certainly before you make an offer!

1. Why is the owner selling?

One of the first questions to ask when buying a house is why the owner is selling that particular property that you are interested in. In some situations if its due to circumstaces, for example moving abroad or probate, you may be able to negotiate on the price.

2. How long has the property been on the market?

The second question to ask is how long the property has been on the market. If the house has been on the market a long time (more than three months), ask the agent why they think it isn’t selling. Are there problems that other people have realised that you haven’t?

There may not be anything wrong and the property may simply be overpriced. Whatever the issue, a long time on the market might mean that the seller would accept a lower price.

3. Has the property’s value changed recently?

How a property’s value has changed over the last few years is readily available online on the Land Registry sold prices website. Take a look and go armed with previous sold prices, and ready to ask about changes to the property’s value, particularly if there has been a drop in value.

4. Has the property repeatedly changed hands?

If the current homeowners are moving out after a short period, it is important to find out why.

This may alert you to serious problems if the property has frequently changed hands. It is important to find out why the previous owners moved out.

5. What is the minimum price the seller will accept?

It is important to ask what the minimum price the seller would accept is as if they go ahead with a lower offer this could save you thousands.

6. Have the sellers found a new home?

Have the sellers already found another home? If they have, they may be keen to sell as fast as possible. Otherwise, if you have to wait until they find somewhere else, it adds to the uncertainty, with all the risks associated with being in a chain.

So asking this question tells you where you stand, and how keen the seller is to move.

7. Have the sellers had any offers?

If you can find out about any other offers, it makes it easier to know what you should offer and negotiate with.

But before you make an offer, it’s time to think about the broader questions to ask when buying a house so you have a feel for the local area and condition of the property.

8. What is the local area like?

What are the schools like? What is the crime rate like? How good are transport links? What is the local supermarket? Where is the nearest petrol station?

All important considerations when buying a property for residential purposes. We have found recently that Shoreditch and Chelsea are popular areas.

9. What is the property’s tenure?

Is the property leasehold or freehold? This is a fundamental question to ask the estate agent and should have been detailed in the property listing. Estate agents tend to gloss over it, but this can be the difference between a home that is worth buying and one that isn’t.

Freehold is the preferred type of ownership as you own the building and the land it is on outright. But most flats in the UK are leasehold. This means you own the property subject to the terms of a lease. You should find out how many years long the lease is and what service charges apply. Start by reading our guide to freehold vs leasehold.

It is also important to find out whether the property is a listed property as you can be severely restricted in what you can do both to the outside and, in some cases, to the inside too. If the property is in a conservation area you should find out what restrictions apply. Likewise, ask if there are any restrictive covenants in place as this can limit what you can and can’t do in your new home.

10. How much is council tax and other utility bills?

With a cost of living crisis you’ll want to know if your new home is going to cost you more and by how much. Ask what council tax band it is in and you’ll know how much you’ll pay by checking online. Ask if you can see utility bills, or you can wait for your conveyancing solicitor to get a copy later down the line.

How Can You Get Access to Off-Market Properties? 

If you are a buyer looking for a property, either to live in or to invest in, here in the UK, using a Property Consultant like ourselves can give you an advantage over other buyers as we have access to information with regards to off-market properties.

Take a look over on our website: https://stonelinkinternational.homesearch.co.uk/

By searching by area and property specifications you will quickly see that there are a number of properties not yet advertised in the public space.

If any of these are of interest get in touch and we can get the ball rolling to contact these sellers and potentially help you find your dream property!

As one of London’s leading independent property consultants, we would be delighted to help you acquire the perfect property.

Call direct on + 44 (0) 207 993 4081 or simply send an email for a fast response.

Media Enquiries
Stonelink International Media Team London
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 993 4081 or send an email