Buying a house? The ONE question you must ask
It's easy to get lost in the romance of buying a home but get these important answers before you make the biggest purchase of your life
BUYING a home will probably be the single most expensive purchase any of us make and the cost of UK homes has been steadily rising.
The average house in this country costs a whopping £216,000 and yet many buyers are being led by their heart, not their heads when it comes to deciding which house to make a home.
As well as checking there is room for your beloved corner sofa, a nice view and good water pressure in the shower, experts advise looking into how many times the property has been sold in the last 10 years.
If the house has changed hands multiple times, it could be a sign of underlying problems and a good reason to get a more thorough survey done.
The sales could be perfectly innocent, but isn't it worth checking?
While you're at it, you can also ask the seller why they're moving on - they don't have to tell you but it might give you an extra bargaining tool in negotiations if you know they need to get out fast!
Did you know that sellers have to tell you, by law, if they've made any complaints about the neighbours. You don't want to move in and find out that you're living next to a wannabe rock band drummer who only practices at night.
As questions about the neighbours, or if you're really interested in a house, knock on the door and say hello, ask them about the area and get to know them before you make your final decision.
Trevor Abrahmsohn, estate agent for London's most expensive road, among others, shared these tip tips to save home buyers unnecessary heartache when it's too late.
Another crucial detail which can get forgotten - is to make sure you know exactly what you're buying.
Yes, it's a house or a flat, but what's included? Are they leaving the curtains or will the seller be taking everything, including the lightbulbs.
Find out before you sign on the dotted line.
Finally check the boundary of your property - just because there is a fence at the bottom of the garden, it doesn't mean for sure that is the official boundary. Check on the title deeds so you know exactly where you stand.
You don't want to be standing on someone else's property if you thought you owned it.