When it comes to buying a new home, viewing a wide range of properties allows you to determine what you like/dislike as well as the key features that meet your lifestyle needs, such as maximised parking space. It can be easy to be swept up in the excitement of exploring a new place and forget the important questions to ask, and if you’re a first-time buyer, you may not even know where to start. To save you time and stress trying to cover all basis’, we have compiled a list of important questions to ask when viewing any property.

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

If the property you are viewing has been on the market for longer than 3 months, you should ask the agent why they believe it isn’t selling. Are there issues that surveyors have noticed for previous buyers? Is there an issue with the price in relation to the area it is situated in? If so, it may be worth trying to negotiate a lower price.

2. How long have the previous owners lived there?

Similar to the previous question, if the owners vacated the property after a short period of time, it could be an indication that there is an issue with the building that needs to be addressed. It is likely that they are moving for logistical reasons, such as buying a bigger property for their family, however this is important to ask to ensure no red flags are missed.

3. How much interest has there been in the property?

Find out how many viewings there have been and any existing offers (if any) that have been made. Viewing the property at busy times of the week, such as a Saturday, will also give you a good indication into how popular the property is.

4. Is this property listed?

Listed buildings have restrictions to the changes that can be made to both the inside and outside of the property. While this is something you would find out during the conveyancing process, it saves time to find this out from the start if you are not looking to purchase a listed property.

5. Is the property leasehold or freehold?

This is a question you should be able to answer by looking at the listing for the property, which should clearly state whether it is leasehold or freehold. A short lease will reduce the value of a property, so it is worth looking into whether the freehold can be bought out.

6. Are there any local development plans?

It is vital that you know about any potential or planned developments surrounding a property you are looking to buy, as this could significantly impact curb side value as well as your view. You can also search for planning applications online to get a better understanding of development in the area.

7. Have there been any major renovations?

It is also important to be aware of any planning applications for the property itself, as if proper permission was not obtained for recent works on the building, such as an extension, there is a chance that this would need to be torn down.

8. How much is Council Tax for the property?

Talking directly to the seller will enable for a clearer discussion of fees such as Council Tax, however this is also something you can find by looking at the local authority’s website if the agent doesn’t know.

9. What is the local area like?

What are the local amenities? Are there any schools? Is it considered a safe place to live? It is essential to get multiple opinions on this, as while the agent may know the area well, they are unlikely to mention the disadvantages of the area as they are trying to sell the property.

10. Is the sale part of a chain?

Do the sellers have another property to move to yet? Or are they still in the process of looking? This will impact how long it takes for you to move and add to the uncertainty of the deal going through. If the sellers have found another home, they may be keen to sell as quickly as possible, making the price more negotiable.

Asking the following questions will ensure you are making an informed decision when choosing whether the put in an offer on a property. At Choice Mortgage Solutions, our experts offer independent mortgage advice for both first-time buyers and those looking to move properties. We also specialise in helping our first-time clients take advantage of the government Help to Buy scheme to make your dream a reality. Find out more and get in contact today.