Buying a New House in Coventry | 9 Questions to Ask

Mortgage Advice in Coventry

As a Mortgage Broker in Coventry, we know that the home buying process can sometimes be complicated and stressful. Just like you, we want everything to go as smooth as possible.

To help you get the most out of your next house viewing, we’ve put together a list of nine questions to ask before you buy a house in Coventry.

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

Usually, there is a popular demand for newly built homes, so if you are interested in a newly built property, you may need to act fast to make sure that you secure it before anyone else does. Newly built homes are popular because you can take out a Help to Buy mortgage with them, which often gives the buyer that extra boost that they needed.

Also, by finding out how many people have viewed or enquired about the house, you’ll get be able to work out how much ‘thinking’ time you have left.

As a rule, new properties tend to be snapped up quickly. But this doesn’t mean older properties can’t go quickly. We advise that you are ready to act quickly – especially if the property is receiving a lot of interest.

2. Is there a chain?

Finding this out can have a significant impact on a few aspects of your buying experience.

If there’s no onward chain, it’s likely you’ll be able to move quickly, especially if you’re not part of a chain yourself.

If you’re not needing to sell your own property first, then you’ll have much more leverage as a buyer. Why? Because you won’t hold up the buying process and this is attractive to sellers who are looking to move into a new home. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you use this to your advantage during negotiations.

3. What’s included in the sale?

If you’re not buying a new build property, then you might find the previous owner is leaving some items behind. It’s not unusual for white goods or sheds to be available as part of the deal. This can be great news for buyers, but if you don’t want or need these items, you will have to factor in disposing of them.

If you are buying a new build property, there might be optional extras you can buy which will be ready for you on the day you move in.

4. What are the neighbours like?

When moving to a new area, it’s worth finding out about the neighbours.  This is sometimes a factor people underestimate, but it can really make a place feel special if you get it right.

If you opt to move to a new development, you and your neighbours will be the ones creating the community which can also be a risk.

5. How much does it cost to run?

Running costs can vary wildly from house to house, so it pays to do your research and ask the right questions. Find out how much the Council Tax is along with the average spend on utilities by asking the seller or researching online. Finding out this information can help you budget for each property accordingly.

6. Which way does the house face?

If you enjoy basking in natural light, the direction the house faces can make a big difference. You’ll often pay a premium for a south-facing garden as they receive the most sun throughout the day.

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

Again, this can have a significant impact on your budget. Key things to find out about are:

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

8. Are you open to offers?

This part may be difficult for First Time Buyers with no mortgage experience but Home Movers may have a slight advantage.

Negotiation is a common part of the house-buying process. Therefore, find out how to make an offer if you’re interested in the property so that you can act quickly once you decide.

Also, think about chatting with the seller or estate agent to determine what may be deemed too low or too high as well as finding out if any other offers have been made and rejected.

9. When can we move in?

If you’re set on the property, the next thing you need to know is when you can start making the place your home. You may have gained an inclination by asking some of the earlier questions, but by setting a date in your diary, you can plan your other jobs, such as instructing a conveyancing solicitor, packing your belongings and arranging a removal van.

We hope this handy list of questions to ask when buying a house can help you out during the buying process.