What do I need to look out for when buying a house?
As an agent, my job is to ensure I get the best possible price for my client the vendor (owner) and purchasers (buyers) are seen as my customers. My main objection is to ensure I give the best service to my client resulting in them experiencing a hassle free sale. Unfortunately there are solicitors so that’s not always the case!! On a serious note however I am often asked by purchasers, ‘what should we be looking out for as a serious red flag warning’
My advice is always the same and that is to plan everything out before you go to a property. This will help in a number of ways, save you time and perhaps help you to not miss out on your dream home. Many new young couples who get their mortgage approval take to Daft and myhome like a dog to a bone, hunting down every agent with a property that matches their price range and sometimes even above in the hope of a reduction. This takes time, precious time. Most mortgage approvals last 6 months so looking at homes is like shopping for clothes, you see something you really like but maybe Penny’s do the same up the road for cheaper so you go and have a look, sure you have time. When they don’t and you return to the shop, your dream item is gone. You then end up chasing a similar item just like that one. The same happens with homes so here’s the best way to avoid it.
Make a list of your top 10 MUST HAVE items. Prioritise them from 1-10 with 1 being the most important and work down from there. It may be
- Location, check with people who know the neighbourhood about the best estates or area .
- A utility. Massively important these days.
- A 2nd living area for kids playroom
- South facing aspect so you get sun in the back garden.
- Proximity to schools, shops or work.
There are many items to consider so take time to make sure you get the top 10 for you. Now this is the important part, if you get 8 or 9 out of 10 on your checklist, ensure you get that property. There is no such thing as a 10 out of 10 house and if you don’t act, when you come back from Penny’s it will be gone.
James Colbert MIPAV (CV) MMCEPI
Colbert & Co