View Full Version : House Hunting
Hi everyone, I am starting to view houses now. What sort of things do you advise that I ask when I go?
Also if the house I am looking at has no chain in your opinion is there ever a sinister reason? ie moved out in a hurry or died...
Although I found it a chore I quite enjoyed house hunting :)
OK first thing we did was check out the area, we had an idea of what sort of area/s we wanted to be in, but we also drove round and walked round at different times of the day. We used websites such as www.upmystreet.com for further information and we took a look at the house prices, we're they increasing and at what rate? What new developments were coming to the area? Any major schemes planned? Any of the neighbours doing alterations that might affect us (use the councils websites to help you) :)
After having lived with NFHs we were even more cautious than when we bought our first house (with NFH) but I armed myself with questions. What were the neighbours like , but also who were they, did they work, were they retired etc etc. Had they expressed any concerns about the house I was viewing and who might get it? Had there ever been any complaints or did the vendor ever have cause to complain about the neighbours?
I looked at where cars parked and if the neighbours had caravans. I looked at how tidy the gardens were, did it look like they had pets? Were there children in the street playing? How many neighbours had children?
As for the house, I asked about council tax rates, cost of electric and gas. When was the boiler last serviced? Did the alarm work? How did the heating work? What would be left, what would they take? Were carpets included in the price? What about blinds/curtains, light fittings - some people can take the oddest things with them! I checked that the doors and windows all were sound, asked when the double glazing was done, when the doors were changed. Was the house freehold or leasehold?
Did they have anywhere to move to, what was the chain like? What sort of time limit did the vendor put on moving out - had they found a property?
The thing to remember is, ask, ask and ask again, it's up to you to make sure you'd be happy buying this house, after all it's the biggest purchase you're likely to make. Go back again and again, if you've more questions, ask the vendor or the estate agent. Do research on the internet. :) The 4homes website has some interesting tips here (http://www.channel4.com/4homes/buyingandselling/index.html)
Chain free houses don't have to be a problem - but ask why there is no chain, shouldn't be a problem to let you know :)
Best of luck, remember to enjoy it, but be thorough and cautious :)
Annabel
16-01-06, 11:00 AM
Eeyore has given you great advice, tact, obviously if you have kids also check out the local schools, using Ofsted , if the schools are good, this reflects on the locality, be sure to check both primary and senior schools, you may find good primary schools, but a dodgy senior school = area improving gradually, or good senior school but primaries underachieving = area going downhill (so why is that?)
For me personally, the nearby amenities were important as well, like decent shops, leisure centres/facilities, good transport links.
I would be extremely careful of cul de sacs if you have a problem with kids playing out.
This is also a personal one to me, but you may like to consider it...think abut the make up of the population in the area...is it a mixed area or dominated by one particular group, e.g. is it a family area, or more for older folks? are there a lot of rental properties, indicating a transient population?
If you look at nethouseprices.com, you can check out the level of recent sales in the area you are thinking of moving too...if there is a lot of turnover is it because people think its an up and coming area, or is it the opposite and people are getting the hell out of there...
as far as chains go, there will be a myriad of reasons why a property will be chain free, you should ask why though, you never know what you will find out that will help you decide whether to purchase or not...we were prepared to move in with my in laws (god, I must have been off my head totally) in order to make the chain shorter, for example.
Good Luck, look at as many properties as you can and dont be rushed into a decision by estate agents wanting a quick sale!!
Thanks guys for the great information.
The first house I am going to view tomorrow needs work. ie, new kitchen, new bathroom, new windows and new boiler. Its in a very exclusive area and because of the work that needs doing you get a lot of house for your money. But to be honest I am not very good at DIY and Mr T is worse. But a house in good repair sold for more than 100k than the one I am looking at.
The area we really wanted to live in has no houses for sale. I have looked at ourproperty wesite and only 1 sold last year and 2 in 2001. I would like to hang on for one in that area but little miss t needs to go to a nursery in our new area.
I will start reseaching all of the information you have given me and I will let you know how I get on tomorrow.
Once again thanks for the information guys.
Annabel
16-01-06, 11:35 AM
Tact: 'Buy the worst house in the best location, rather than the best house in the worst location' :)
Oh , I meant to ask, have you sold your house yet? in some areas of the UK, it is most definitely a buyers market and you will have a lot more bargaining power if you have a firm offer on your place before you go out looking.
I agree with Annabel on that one - we bought the best house - in the worst place - where we had the NFH, everyone agreed with us.
Now we have a smaller house (that is still fabulous and meets our requirements) but in a fab area, one of the best around here :)
Oh, talking of requirements, make a list of what is essential in your new house - how many bedrooms, do you need a garage/off street parking, separate dining room, could you live with a grotty kitchen or bathroom etc etc, do you need a good school nearby, shops, bus service etc, and tick the boxes if it meets the criteria (you could also take a camera and take photos too, most vendors allow that, we did!). I had a whole list when we house hunted, had to be detached, 4 bedrooms, separate dining room, nice modern kitchen, double glazing, lovely bathroom (with a white suite) - I was fussy after what we'd lived with :lol: separate garage, decent-ish sized gardens for the dogs, close enough to both mine and Mr Eeyores work (I had a certain area in mind) and close to my mum but not too close. I also like houses that look unique. I could live with tatty drives, garden etc no cavity wall, bad decor, lousy carpets, these could be changed easily and quickly. This house ticked every single box, and when I walked in I got such a good feeling about it :thumbs: I sometimes think, you just know :rolleyes:
Also if you want to take a second look at this house that needs work, why not ask a builder to go with you and give a rough guide to what work wants doing and the cost :)
So far I have checked the schools, we would be in the catchment area for the best in the area.
It must have a double garage and off road parking for mr T's lorry.
An office/study
A seperate dining room
4 bedrooms (1 with ensuite)
Downstairs cloak
And wishfully a 3rd reception room for the kids toys.
As far as the windows, bathroom and kitchen are concerned I would replace them.
I am going to look tomorrow with my Mom and sister (as Mr T is working). If I like it I will ask my brother in law to come (he's a builder, great idea Eeyore) and see what he thinks.
In an ideal world we would like to move somewhere that is already decorated and finished but in the areas we are looking they are way way over our budget. :(
Annabel
16-01-06, 01:16 PM
I am getting good vibes about this Tact, let us know how you get on! :) :thumbs:
Sounds promising, keep us posted tact :)
Have just spoken to the estate agents they needed to change the time of the viewing tomorrow as they have 6 others going to look. :bigeyes:
If I like it I might have to put in a offer tomorrow. I will be back to ask advice on how much under to go. :D
Annabel
16-01-06, 02:01 PM
Tact, are you one of the first to view? It might be best, if you are, to go along later after a few other people have been, in case they put in offers then you can see what they have done and pitch your offer accordingly.
This is getting very interesting! :yes:
And whatever you do, keep a clear head :) If you're not sure, walk away from it, don't let the fact that others may like it or put offers in, go to your head, it's kind of like auction fever and that is fatal.
But if you do like it, it looks do-able and you get the right vibe, go for it :lol:
Annabel I am the last one of the six. The viewings start at 8.30am. Mine is at 11.30. I think I will probably be up against either a builder or developer because the house has potential for a massive extension as well.
I am getting really excited. I can't wait to go see.
good luck tact
hope it is what you are looking for :thumbs:
phantos02
16-01-06, 07:51 PM
Hi tact,
Having gone through this in the last couple of months, I can sympathise here. Don't be afraid to write down your list of questions and take it with you. You won't look silly ticking off the answers, you will look organised and the vendor (if they are there) will know that you are a serious proposition.
As for the house you are going to see tomorrow, is there no way the agency will consider 'doubling up' viewings so that you can go earlier? That's what we did - there was a family here viewing at the same time as us. We knew we wanted it pretty much as soon as we saw it. We made our offer but stipulated that we wanted the house taken off the market immediately, we knew there were dozens more people lined up to see it and we didn't want to get gazumped!
We have gone the 'worst house in the best area' route. I'm so glad we did. The house needs work but we can live with the grotty bits for the time being. It's a nice road, consequently the neighbours have been really welcoming.
Good luck, let us know how you get on
Phantos x x x
The house was great it had so much potential. It will take lots of hard work. As you walk in the carpet is all bright orange and the wallpaper flowery. The kitchen consists of 3 work tops and 1 cupboard. The lounge had a wooden floor with a big rug in the middle and when you lifted the rug up it was concrete underneath :bigeyes: but it does have a lovely inglenook fireplace.
It has a really nice sized office which is great.
Upstairs it has 3 double bedrooms and 1 single. The bathroom has a bath and a seperate shower cubicle.
The whole house need stripping and re decorating. But I liked it alot.
They had 9 viewings today and have had 3 offers already.
phantos02
17-01-06, 07:06 PM
oooh it sounds great - could you afford to do all the renovations and decoration that you would like? If so then I would put an offer in.
Cosmetic things are nothing - you should have seen this place when we moved in! :lol:
They're easy and cheap to sort, some wallpaper, paint, a new kitchen etc etc
The thing is, does it feel right? Is it the one?
Hi P, We could afford to do them. But STUPID ME :wacko: hasn't arranged a mortgage. With our currant mortgage provider is used to be if you could afford if they would lend you the money without going into your accounts. I have spoken to them this afternoon and now they must see all accounts. Mr T's business has only been up and running for a year and that will go against us. I have an appointment to go and see them on Thursday so hopefuly it will go well. :cry:
Annabel
17-01-06, 08:04 PM
B) Need any help with that, tact? PM me if you do (I am an Independent Financial Adviser...we dont arrange mortgages but I can point yout in the right direction/check out your current deal to see if it is competitive if you wish) :rolleyes:
phantos02
17-01-06, 10:48 PM
tact, my husband's business had been going for less than a year when we applied for our mortgage. However, because we had enough equity from the flat to effectively put down a 25% deposit on this house (well, we s********ed together and extra £1500 to make it 25%), we only had to supply minimal details about the business. We just prepared a cashflow sheet and projections for next year and they were happy with that (this was with Abbey but we were told by our advisor that many mortgage providers are similar).
Beware, some mortgage providers may offer a good rate but their service levels are appalling, taking weeks to get you a mortgage offer in writing. Get some advice, perhaps annabel can recommend a provider who might turn things around quick enough for you.
There's still a chance hun, you just have to pull out all the stops!!
P x x
Thanks for the replies guys.. :D
Annabel there is a pm winging its way to you.
Banana a non-status mortgage sounds good. I have been researching them on the net. So Thanks.
Phantos, I am good at marketing but cash flow sheets etc are not me. Where would I start? Would I get our accountant to do the projection or would I be able to work it out?
Sorry I am so dense when it comes to financial stuff, but if anyone ever needs any advice on sales, marketing, training or confidence problems please feel free to ask me.
Hi again,
I took Mr T to see the house today he wasn't keen. :sad: He thought it was very overpriced for what you got.
When we were there the neighbours on the left where filling up a skip on their drive and their neighbours came out and they started having the loudest argument. They were screaming at each other, then the husbands appeared and started shouting. Mr T made me get back in the car as I was desperatley trying to eavesdrop. Not quite sure what it was all about but before we even think about putting in an offer I think I will have to knock on a few doors to find out what the neighbours were arguing about.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(banana @ 18th January 2006 - 5:35 PM) 148016</div>
You deserve somewhere better, with nice neighbours who don't scream unless they are on fire.banana[/b]
:hihi: :hihi: That did make me laugh..
I just feel so disappionted. I really really liked the house. But you are right if I ended up with that every day the house would not be a dream it would be a nightmare.
I have also just spoken to a financial advisor and he can't see any problem with us getting a non-status mortgage. :D
phantos02
18-01-06, 09:04 PM
Well, regardless of the neighbour situation, if Mr T doesn't really like the house then you are stuck anyway!
When making big decisions Hubby and I are very much of the mind that if you can't both agree on it, then don't do it.
Carry on looking... and in the meantime get the mortgage sorted out. Re: cashflow - we already had a simple spreadsheet compiled for hubby's business showing incomings and outgoings every month, and profit (or loss!). And he just made some conservative projections of what he thought he would be earning in the next year. It wasn't very flash (we didn't even have and accountant then). In fact I'd be surprised if they even looked at it. You could ask Mr T's accountant if he would knock something up for you, but I guess he/she would charge for it.
P x x
I think I'd walk away from it - if Mr Eeyore didn't like somewhere and I did, much as I like my own way :rolleyes: it's a big decision and we'd have kept looking, thankfully we both fell in love with our house :)
Plus the neighbours thing would make me worry, how often do they scream like that in the street? Blimey Mr Eeyore and I have words but never out in the street, never scream and yell in public, we just wouldn't :o talk about airing your dirty washing ;)
Plus, did the neighbours know you were viewing? If so, you'd think they'd have been on their best behaviour ;)
The right house is out there, but maybe it isn't this one
Eeyores mam
19-01-06, 11:30 AM
Fate is a wonderful thing. You were meant to have to go back to that house and see what the neighbours were like. If they behave like that when there are strangers around then think how they may try to embroil you in the obvious war that is raging. A horrendous situation and you were meant to see it for yourselves. There are lots of other places , its just a matter of waiting. Be patient and you will find the right place.
Good luck
Eeyores mam
Thanks guys for all of your support.
Phantos, I have done the projection, it wasn't hard once I sat down and thought about it. (just think I have gone brain dead since I gave up work :hihi: ).
Eeyores mam, you are right I think it was fate, we decided at the last minute to go and have another look and witnessed the two neighbours arguing.
phantos02
19-01-06, 07:26 PM
Well done tact, I hope it helps to secure you a good mortgage offer :thumbs:
I have had 3 mortage offers today. Not bad rates either. All I need now is a house :hihi: .
I am going to view another on on Saturday. Fingers crossed it will be great.
Annabel
19-01-06, 08:43 PM
:thumbs: :thumbs: told you, you would have no problems!
Love annabel (award winning IFA, dontcha know :lol: )
An award winning IFA mentioned Birmingham Midshires and they came up trumps. :notworthy: :notworthy: :hihi:
You're in a good position with the mortgage offer, more people will go for a buyer with a firm offer than one who has to apply :)
Best of luck finding a house, it'll come
Annabel
20-01-06, 11:10 AM
:thankyou: :thankyou:
OOh I need to be careful my head is swelling by the minute :lol: :lol:
Good luck with it Tact, I take it you have blown out that house then?
HI A, Yep I have totally blown that house out. Can't face the idea of arguing with the neighbours. Especially as the house needs so much work. We would be noisy for the first few months and I can't be doing with the thought that they would complain.
I am going to view another one on Saturday. It's not as original as the first one but is in the area that we really wanted to move to in the first place. Its five minutes from the best primary school in our area. (If you are feeling nosey I will pm you the details
later :hihi: )
Let us know how the viewing goes tact, I've everything crossed for you :)
Is this house occupied (will you be able to ask questions?)
phantos02
20-01-06, 06:58 PM
Well done on the mortgage offers, tact.
Good luck with the next viewing I hope it's what you want
P x
Eeyore the house is occupied but they will not be there.
On the first house that we saw the plots thickens. I have to drive past it to get to my Moms, as I was going past a removals van was on the drive of what would have been our direct neighbours. It was them and the neighbours on their left who were arguing. maybe it had got so bad they felt the need to move!
I will let you all know how tomorrow goes. Mr T is very excited he really thinks that it is the one, but I am not so sure. As I run our business from home I really need an office (somewhere I can lock the kids out of) and it hasn't got one. There is a possibility we could convert one of the garages but we will have to wait and see. Apart from that it seems perfect.
The house is lovely. They have just fitted a kichen and new bathroom so it only needs a bit of paint and new flooring to make it mine.
I met the lady who owns it so had a chance to quiz her which was great. She said the neighbours are lovely. The ones who own allotments near by leave fruit and veg on your doorstep all Summer. There is a lovely park about 2 minutes walk away which I had never seen. I am going to put an offer in first thing Monday morning. I really really hope we get it. :hihi:
It sounds fabulous, I hope you get it - and I hope the neighbours continue on with their allotment - fruit and veg, fabulous :D
coppernob
22-01-06, 08:29 PM
Hope you get it! We are in the middle of buying our house off the council and have just had our mortgage o.k'd, can't wait for it to complete!! CN
phantos02
23-01-06, 12:29 AM
Nice one tact, good luck making the offer :clover:
P x x
Neighboured
23-01-06, 12:50 AM
Yes. Good look! :thumbs:
My offer is in. I phoned them first thing this morning. I am not sure how long I have to wait to see if it has been accepted. Any ideas?
It all depends, some sellers get back straight away, some need to speak to other family members, some can't be contacted, it's a waiting game ;)
When we bought our house it took 3 days in total between us offering, them saying no, us putting another offer in etc before we got it all sorted :) However when our buyers put in an offer I said yes immediately, didn't even ring Mr Eeyore - mind you they were chain free and offered the asking price :lol:
Sit tight tact, it's a waiting game unfortunately :rolleyes:
phantos02
23-01-06, 08:25 PM
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you tact!!
Domestic Goddess
23-01-06, 09:43 PM
Wishing you all good things!!!
Hugs
DG
XXXXXXXXX
Sparrow
23-01-06, 10:31 PM
Good luck!! :thumbs:
Sparrow x
Hope you hear something today tact - they've had overnight to think about it - fingers crossed :)
Thanks for all of the support guys.
Eeyore I have found another house as well.. :bigeyes: . I am going to view it on Wednesday it is around the corner from the one I have made an offer on. It doesn't look as nice on the outside but inside is decorated to much more to my taste, so I wouldn't have to do alot, and the garden is nicer. Oh no what is a girl to do.
I have been looking at this area for ages and now 2 houses come on the market at the same time.
That's great tact, always good to keep your options open - if this lot turn down your offer, might not hurt to mention to the estate agent that you are viewing another place too :lol: If they want to sell they'll bear that in mind
Let us know how viewing this other house goes tact, and if you hear anything about house one :D It'll be just your luck and you'll like both and have the choice of both - that'd be good :)
My offer has been refused :( . It was 15k under asking though. So I am going to have another look on Wednesday and maybe offer them more.
Have you thought about asking the estate agent what offer they would be looking at - bearing in mind you are in strong position and have another property to view?
Remember - get the agent to do the work for you - it's their job :)
Eeyore, I haven't managed to sell mine yet. Sorry forgot to mention that earlier, I have been looking at houses for 10 months (Mr T only agreed to def. move 2 months ago) and these are the first 2 that have come up in that area. Mine is now on the market done very swiftly yesterday and have my first viewing today. I have priced it to sell.
The vendors of house 1 have now had an offer of asking price but the other people are in the same boat as me, they haven't sold either so I think its going to be a race against time on who sells first.
I think I have gained at least 5 grey hairs that I can see since Saturday :bigeyes: .
Looking for 10 months and finding nothing so I was too scared to put mine on the market, all the mortgage worries, finding a house, then finding 2 and trying to keep my house tidy when the kids just follow me and tip all of their toys out again.
I don't envy you tact - brings it all back, we had our house on the market, no offers, then got 2 offers and couldn't find anywhere in the area we liked. Found somewhere in an area we didn't really want - and our buyer dropped out as they'd waited 2 months :o (they'd offered the week before Christmas :rolleyes: ) so back on the market, an offer from a guy who couldn't sell his house, then 2 offers, one with no chain, and we'd found the house we are in now, what we wanted and where we wanted. Went with Mr no chain, 2 days before moving date it all fell through :cry: We remarketed with another agent, and 5 weeks later we were all sold, moved out and in our lovely house :thumbs:
A stressful time though :( I shed many tears
Shame they've been offered the asking price, the other people are obviously very interested in the property and want to secure it - but as you say, they've not sold either. Any ideas how long theirs has been on the market? :)
Good luck with your viewer today too, hope they buy it :D
The other couples house has been on themarket for 2 months ish. Its about 20 miles away from where I live and is a much much cheaper area. The estate agent thinks theirs will sell quickly.
Annabel
24-01-06, 01:39 PM
anyone can make offers on houses, but only people who have sold theirs will be in any kind of position to proceed, so dont worry too much on those other buyers, just concentrate on getting your house sold, including being multi agency if necessary...nothing like a bit of competition amongst agents to get them moving!
I personally would not look at any houses until i had sold mine as this can really stress you out if you go and see something wonderful and want to buy it...like i say there is nothing doing until you sell yours and the vendor, if they have any sense, will keep their house on the market anyway, which means more viewers, one of whom may have sold their house and will pip you to the post!
its very fraught, tact, but get that house of yours sold and you will be in a very strong position, and may well be able to really get a bargain... :)
I agree, go all out to sell your house, that's the main thing - we did lose a sale because we had a sale and nowhere to go, but it worked out better in the end anyway - plus a lot of that was the agents fault, not keeping in touch with anyone ;)
Nothing better than someone who makes an offer with either no chain, or a solid buyer :) Concentrate on getting your house saleable, sell it's good points, do not mention any bad points, concentrate on light, space, potential etc etc :thumbs:
Eeyore, We have planning permission for an extension, a new boiler, new windows and new flooring.
On the space side of things I have had to put loads of the kids toys in bin bags and put them in the boot of my car :hihi: . My house looks tidy, my car is a mess.
Mr T's a great help, he said he will come back this evening after the viewing! So that leaves me to deal with the business, the estate agents, the kids and clean the house. I have just phoned him to thank him for all of his help!
He has also said that I can view houses whilst he is at work and if they are in the right area that he trusts me to just go for it. Nice in a way but what a lot of work.
Oh and I have just had a call from the estate agents of the very first house (with bad neighbours) it has gone to sealed bidding. (Not quite sure what that is)
Sealed bids? Oh no, a big put off IMO ;) You basically have until a certain time to submit your bid (price you will pay for the house) to the agent, they open them, highest one wins - steer clear :(
Good luck with the viewing, remember things like a nice sparkly bathroom and kitchen work surfaces . But also your home is still that, a home, genuine buyers look and see if its what they are looking for - we did, our sellers had kids with toys, bunk beds and Harry Potter wallpaper :) And do tell them about the planning permission you are granted - a big plus IMO :D
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dibuzz @ 24th January 2006 - 3:02 PM) 148758</div> It's not easy selling when you have young children. We finally sold ours after 15 months when my daughter was 3 weeks old. You can't just bung the junk in one room like when you have visitors because they need to go in every room so I ended up with dirty washing, milk bottles pots and pans and deep fat fryer in the car which I parked in the next street :blush: Anything on the floor in the kids room just went under the duvet if it was flat enough [/b]
:hihi: :hihi: How true. I have told the estate agents which cupboards they can open without endangering the life of the viewers. We have built in wardrobes in our bedroom mine is all nice Mr T's is filled to bursting with everything that either won't fit in my car or go any where else. :blush:
How did it go with your viewers tact, did you impress them? :)
I wasn't planning on being here, but the estate agent was late!!! Then when he did arrive he went upstair to take photos that hadn't come out the first time.
The couple arrived and I knew them, I showed them the lounge but then the estate agent took over. They were here for the whole of 3 minutes. I not not really impressed with the estate agent at the moment and have phoned them this morning. I might well have to go multi agency.
6 hours of cleaning for 3 mins...lol
The estate agent said that the viewers are always really quick, this was the third property he had shown them and they just walk in and out of every room really quickly.
On the plus side I am going for a second viewing on the first house again. I f I really want it we are going to see if we can do anything with the finances so we are able to get it.
3 minutes? :o What are they, just nosey people who like looking at houses? ;) Timewasters :badmood:
As for the estate agent, it makes you wonder doesn't it? We had a lousy first estate agent, then we changed agents after a year (and being let down) next one cost more but was worth every penny, house on the website the same day, viewing arranged the following day, sold it, we all got follow up letters confirming offer and acceptance, they chased solicitors etc so that it could go through in 4 weeks, they were fabulous
The first house - isn't that the one with the sealed bids? Will you be ok about doing that?
No sorry I meant the second one, the one where they leave the fruit and veg.
Hope it goes well tact :)
Any more viewings for yours in the pipeline?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eeyore @ 25th January 2006 - 10:34 AM) 148870</div> Hope it goes well tact :)
Any more viewings for yours in the pipeline? [/b]
Thanks Eeyore, and no. Its not even on the internet yet. They have told me that it will be in the paper on Friday. All I can say is it better be!!
I agree, we actually sold through the firm that gives you Xtra help :P but they had their own site, plus used Rightmove, and they had us a viewing the day after we were marketed - which resulted in our sale :)
The other agents cancelled appointments but didn't tell us, took weeks to get us on the website, didn't tell us who offers were from and didn't follow them up with paperwork, and didn't contact our initial buyer for 2 months after their offer went in, causing them to drop out. When we took the property off the market with them, 2 weeks later they rang us up to say someone wanted to view :rolleyes: :lol: Unbelieveable