When you are viewing a house as a potential new buyer, you want to ensure that you ask the right questions so that you can make the right decisions regarding your next big investment. After all, buying a house in the UK isn’t cheap. With so many properties available on the market and with so many options to pick and choose from, it can be hard to decide which property is best for you. So, we spoke to multiple estate agents in Leeds as well as other market experts, and here are the questions that you should ask when you view a house to help you make the right investment decision.

1 Why is the owner selling?

This is a very important question and one that you must ask every time. In some instances, homeowners are selling because they are moving to another city, downsizing or it could even be a distress sale. In that case, the seller will be looking for a fair offer and will be willing to close the deal quickly. Also, if the owner is selling the property because of structural issues, pests, termites, roof issues or any such thing, then your estate agent is obligated to let you know. And finally, if the owner has only been there for a few months and is ready to sell the property, this could be a red flag!

2 How long has the property been on the market?

If a property has been on the market for 3 to 6 months, you have reason to believe that there could be something wrong with the property. Maybe there is something wrong with the property which is why previous buyers did not make an offer. Also, one reason a property might be on the market for a long time is that it is overpriced. In such a scenario, the seller will be willing to negotiate and is highly likely to accept a low offer in order to make a deal.

3 What is the neighbourhood like?

You must ask every question that comes to mind when you are trying to find out about the area and the neighbourhood. What is the neighbourhood like? What are the neighbours like? How far is the closest school to the property? What are the crime rates in the area? What about transport links? What about parks and green spaces in the neighbourhood? At the end of the day, you need to fall in love with the neighbourhood as well as the property.

4 Has the property undergone any recent renovations?

Always ask if the property has undergone any major renovations or upgrades. This could include redoing the plumbing, fixing the roof, remodelling the kitchen or the bathroom and so on. If any work has been done in the past, always ask for builders’ receipts, and planning permissions and find out if there are any guarantees. If the property does not have planning permissions, you might have to tear down any upgrades and extensions, which could cost a whole lot of money in the long run.

5 What is included in the sale?

Always find out what is included in the sale. For instance, if you walk into the property during the viewing and fall in love with the chic sofa set or the chandelier in the living room only to find out that these things are not included in the move, you aren’t going to be very happy. It is always a good idea to find out exactly what all is included in the sale. Are the fittings and fixtures included? Is the furniture part of what is included in the sale? What about the garden shed? Be sure to get everything in writing.

6 What is the condition of the property?

What are the floors like? Are there any signs of mould or fungus? Are there any big cracks in the walls or ceiling? Is the roof leaking? What is the condition of the drains and gutters? How old is the plumbing? What is the water pressure like?  What is the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of the property? It is very important to ensure that the property is in good condition otherwise, you could end up spending thousands and thousands of pounds on repairs and renovations.