Arranging house viewings is an important part of house-buying or renting and a brilliant opportunity to see if a house is the right fit for you.
House viewings also give you time to ask the agent or seller a few questions that will help you make your decision and perhaps negotiate a better deal.
If you’re thinking of buying or renting a home in Ireland, this article will help you get organised before a viewing and understand the best questions to ask when viewing a house.
What questions should you ask when viewing a house?
Buying a house is a huge investment. For many of us it’s the most expensive purchase we will make in our lifetime.
With so much demand for new homes in Ireland, it’s still important to be thorough in your search.
Asking the estate agent or seller a few questions can be the difference between buying your dream house or one you may quickly regret.
1. Why are the owners selling?
Estate agents are not obliged to divulge this information, but some will and it can give you an indication of any potential problems with the house, neighbours or area for instance. It may also give you an idea of how urgent the buyer is to sell, for example if they are moving abroad. This may work in your favour when doing a deal.
2. How long have the owners lived here?
If the owner has lived here only for a short time and is already moving on, alarm bells may ring. Whereas, if the owner has lived here for decades, it’s likely because they were very happy and you probably will be too!
3. How long has the house been up for sale?
Being on the market for a long time could be because the house is just overpriced – but it could also indicate a problem with the house or area it’s located in. Bear in mind the advert can appear new, but it may have been taken down before and put up again, if a sale fell through for instance. If it’s advertised again at a reduced price, the seller may be looking for a quick sale, giving you more room for negotiation.
4. Has there been any major building work done to the property?
It’s good to get some insight into the condition of the house and any work it’s had. You can ask about the structure of the property, any damage, building or refurbishment that’s taken place and if the appropriate planning and building regulations were adhered to. It may also give insight into how much money you might need to invest in the house if you did buy it e.g. new doors and windows, new boiler or roof repairs. If you are serious about buying, it’s always wise to get a professional survey of the house to identify any issues.
5. What is the BER rating of the property?
It’s worth asking for the Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate as it will give you an indication of how energy efficient the house is on a scale between A and G, and what contributed to the property’s rating. If it’s a poor rating, you may need to consider the cost of home energy upgrades. If it’s a good rating, find out what’s contributing to that and will it need maintenance, repair or replacement.
6. Is there a chain?
If you are buying a house, it could be part of a chain where the seller is also in the process of buying another home, which can slow down the process. If you make an offer and it’s accepted, this question will let you know how ready the owners will be to move.
7. Are there any extra costs i.e. service charges, ground rent in a leasehold property?
There are two types of property ownership in Ireland, leasehold and freehold. It’s worth clarifying which applies to your potential new home. With a leasehold property, ground rent must be paid to a ground landlord who owns the ground the property is built on, which could be a local authority, and ownership is usually for a fixed number of years. Freehold ownership means you own the property and the ground on which it stands with no time limits, so you won’t have to pay ground rent or annual service charges.
8. What are the options for internet access?
Internet access can still be patchy in some areas around Ireland so it’s best to check if broadband is available in the area, especially if you plan to work from home. If the agent or seller can’t tell you, you can contact Internet providers who will use the Eircode to check coverage.
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After a viewing and asking the seller or agent a few questions like those above, you’ll be in a much better position to decide on your new home. It’s a big investment, so be scrupulous in your research and don’t be afraid to ask!
Remember at Quote Devil, we quickly compare different insurers on the market to find you the best deal on home insurance. Get protected from fire, theft, storms, floods or any other unforeseen event that damages or destroys your home and its contents.
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