Buying a New House in Coventry | 9 Questions to Ask

Moving Home Mortgage Advice in Coventry

The home buying journey can come with its challenges and can sometimes be stressful. As a Mortgage Broker in Coventry, we understand this which is why we want the process to go as swift as possible.

Below we have compiled 9 questions that are key to ask when buying a house in Coventry to help you in your next house viewing:

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

Newly built properties have become increasingly popular which means that you need to be quick when securing one if you are interested in purchasing a newly built home. The reason for this is that newly built homes are mostly utilised by taking out a Help to Buy Mortage which provides support to First Time Buyers in Coventry to get on the property ladder.

Knowing the number of people who have viewed or enquired about the property, will allow you to extinguish how long you have to think and make a decision if you want to proceed.

Generally, new properties seem to be sold much quicker. On the other hand, this doesn’t always mean that older properties don’t sell any quicker. Either way, we recommend you are prepared to act swiftly, in particular, for properties with a lot of interest.

2. Is there a chain?

Whether or not the property is a part of a chain can have a large impact on many aspects of your buying experience.

In the case where there is no onward chain, there is more of a chance that you will be able to move in quickly if you’re not part of a chain yourself.

Buyers who don’t need to sell their own property first can be seen as more favourable to sellers. This is because you won’t be holding up the buying process and can be a good point to make in the negotiating process for sellers who are looking to move into a new home. If this is your situation, use this to your advantage when negotiating.

3. What’s included in the sale?

For buyers who aren’t looking to purchase a new build property, it’s common to find that previous owners have left some items behind. Most of the time, these items include white goods and sheds and are available within the deal. This can be super helpful for many buyers, however, if you decide you don’t want these items, it’s your responsibility to dispose of them.

Sometimes, new build properties do offer optional extras you can buy and will be ready for you on the day you move in.

4. What are the neighbours like?

Seeing what your neighbours are like can be important. It’s something that many people overlook but it can make or break a homeowners living experience.

For those moving into a new development, it will be a fresh start for everyone which means there is scope to create a friendly community but can be a risk if you clash with them.

5. How much does it cost to run?

When it comes to running costs, this can range from house to house. Therefore, it’s good to do research and ask the right questions. Look into the price of Council Tax and the average spend on utilities by asking a seller or researching online. By doing this, you are working out a rough budget for each property.

6. Which way does the house face?

For some, the way the house faces can be at the top of a homebuyer’s list. If you are looking for a south-facing garden, this can come with a premium cost because you will receive the most sun throughout the day.

7. How much work will be required after moving in?

This is something that could majorly affect your budget. Factors to find out include:

• Improving energy efficiency
• Addressing damp problems
• Changing the décor
  

8. Are you open to offers?

For First Time Buyers in Coventry, this may be difficult especially if they have no mortgage experience. Therefore, Home Movers may have more of an advantage.

Negotiating regularly happens within the house-buying process. With this in mind, it can be key to learn about how to make an offer on a property if you are interested in order to act quickly.

Consider speaking to the seller or estate agent to see what is seen as too low or too high and find out if any other offers have been made or rejected.

Check out our video about making an offer on a property and the tips you can consider in when negotiating as a First Time Buyer in Coventry.

9. When can we move in?

When you have decided on a property, it’s then time to see when you can start making the place your home. This may have been mentioned briefly when asking some of the questions earlier on in the process. However, having an official date in your calendar means you can plan the other jobs you need to do like instructing a conveyancing solicitor, sorting out your belongings and arranging a removal van.

Mortgage Advice in Coventry

We hope this list of questions to ask when buying a house can help you through the buying process. If you are interested in help and support through your homebuying journey, get in touch with us and we can provide you with the open and honest Mortgage Advice in Coventry you need.

01/08/2022