Questions to Ask Before Buying A New House

The excitement of moving to a new house is different for every member of the family. If you’re the buyer, the dreams of decorating your new home and embarking on your new peaceful life soon take over. However if you don’t want these dreams to turn into nightmares, read below for the things you need to pay attention to before buying.

How suitable is the home?

You’re probably mesmerised by the house you want to buy, but it’s worth putting your critical cap on and identifying any flaws the house might have. Whether you rely on public transport or have your own car, you need to take notice of how the house will work for you. Does it have a parking space/drive or garage? How close is the nearest bus stop or train station? It’s important not to overlook these details as they will make such a big difference to your daily life. How safe is the area? Is there a park or green space where they can play freely? The presence of these as well as an area free from too much traffic, should be among the top priorities for those with children.

How sturdy is your house?

The interior of the house may have dazzled you, but you need to know how solid the structure and foundations are. How would it hold up in case of excessive rainfall and even flooding? This would also be a good time to speak to insurance companies and see what kind of cover you will need and what you can get.

Is there enough natural light?

For a healthy and happy life, you want to make sure you’re getting as much natural light as possible. Natural light in every room can make all the difference. If there is a lack of it, you’re more likely to encounter issues such as damp, which over time can cause a lot of damage. We recommend that when viewing the house, you do so several times at different hours during the day, so that you can really know what you’re getting.

Does street noise bother you?

Whether it’s noise from your neighbours or the unique sounds that each house comes with, noise is a big factor to consider. A good idea is to ask around the neighbours to see if there are any issues. It’s worth researching what kind of people live in the neighbourhood for ideas about noise levels too. If the house is on a main road, you can expect a certain level of noise - look into sound insulation before moving in if this is the case.

Is the interior of the house exactly as stated?

All too often, features that were advertised as part of the house during the buying process, turn out to be not quite what they seemed. First off, have the basics such as water, gas and the electrics checked by someone who understands these things. In addition, makesure that any built in commodities such as white goods, solar energy products and hot water systems are all in good working order. You don’t want any nasty surprises after you’ve moved in. Smart home systems have become very popular in recent years, so if these are in use in your new home, make sure you have everything you need to know about them and any controllers you may need. This way, you won’t be left scratching your head and potentially damaging any of the systems.

A subject we’d rather not talk about: Pests

Although this issue is less common in new builds, pests can still often be found in ground/garden floor properties. If you’re not going to be the first person to inhabit your new home, it is worth having the property sprayed before moving in. Pests are one surprise you definitely don’t want!

Are there any problems with the paperwork?

Last but definitely not least, deeds and documents. You need to be absolutely sure that the information on any paperwork you own aligns with what you’ve been told and have agreed to. You need to know who owns the deeds and what the state of settlement is. It’s definitely worth getting a lawyer at this point to make sure everything is above board. By doing things properly here and making sure all the rules of the process are followed, you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim.