Questions to ask when buying a house in Liverpool

Whether you’re a First Time Buyer in Liverpool or a Home Mover in Liverpool looking to buy a house, there’s probably a lot racing around your mind. To help you out, here are our top 9 questions to ask when buying a house.

1. Has the plot/development seen much interest?

It’s not uncommon for new homes to only be on the market for a short period of time. So be prepared to act quickly, especially if the listing has seen a lot of interest. By determining the interest, you can judge how much ‘thinking’ time you have available to decide.

2. Is there a chain

If the property is not part of a chain it’s likely you’ll be able to move quickly, especially if you yourself are not part of a chain. This is common with new homes and situations such as bereavements or emigration. It’s also worth noting that without a chain you’ll have more leverage as a buyer. This is because you won’t delay the buying process so be sure to use this to your advantage during negotiations.

3. What’s included in the sale?

Sometimes when buying an older property, it’s not uncommon to find that the previous owner is leaving stuff behind which is part of the deal. For example, the garden shed or white goods might not be following the seller.

Although this might be a huge benefit to buying the property, it can also be a burden. If you don’t want the added extras, you will have to work out a way to dispose of them.

4. What is the neighbourhood like?

If you’re moving to an unfamiliar location, it’s worth trying to find out about the neighbours. If you choose to move to a development of new homes, you and your neighbours will all be moving in around the same time. Although this can create a lot of uncertainty, it also creates an advantage when it comes to building a friendly new community.

5. What are the running costs?

Running costs can differ greatly from house to house depending on age and work that has been done to it already. By researching online, or asking the seller, you can find out costs such as council tax and utility bills which will help you budget more effectively.

6. Which way do the house and garden face?

If you’re the type of person who enjoys relaxing in the garden on summer evenings or reading books in natural light, then the direction the house faces can make a big difference. For these types of people, you want to be looking at a south-facing garden. You could either ask for this information or have a compass app installed on your phone ready for your viewing.

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

This question can have a big impact on your decision to buy or not. Generally, older houses require more work than new homes, but that’s not always the case. Things to look out for include:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Issues with damp
  • Whether you like the décor

8. Is the seller open to offers?

Negotiation is part of the house-buying process. Therefore, if you’re interested in buying the house, it’s worth finding out how to make an offer. To avoid going in too low or high, try and chat with the seller or estate agent to gauge what seems like an appropriate offer. It’s also worth enquiring about whether any other offers have been made and rejected.

9. When can you move in?

If you’re set on the property and you’re planning on making an offer, ask when the house would be available to move in to. By having a date to work towards, you can plan your other jobs – such as instructing a conveyancing solicitor, packing your belongings and arranging a removal van. This can also be an important question if you are part of a chain yourself.

Mortgage Advice in Liverpool

Date Last Edited: August 7, 2023