Property expert reveals the 5 crucial questions you need to ask when buying a house

You want to know what you’re buying, after all(Picture: Getty Images)

House-hunting can be an overwhelming process.

You’ll spend hours scouring listing platforms, as well as the time booking and attending the viewings themselves.

With all the time and effort put into finding the property of your dreams, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of the process. Not to mention filtering the wheat from the chaff when it comes to finding ‘the one’.

So what are the core questions you should be asking when attending a viewing?

Who better to ask than people who know all the ins and outs of the property world? As a result, we’ve spoken with an expert, who has shared their top five questions to be armed with…

When was it last listed for sale?

‘Make sure you find out when it was last up for sale, because if it was recently it may ring alarm bells,’ Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, tells Metro.

‘Find out the full story so you know what you’re getting yourself in for.’

As well as asking your agent during the process, Daniel explains you can find out the full sales (and rental) history for many homes on various property listing platforms – simply type in the address.

Why are they selling?

Find out the seller’s motivation (Picture: Getty)

Most of the time people are simply looking to upsize or downsize depending on their life stage. But Daniel stresses that, while it might feel like a personal question, it’s important to ask why someone is selling.

He explains: ‘Other factors can influence a move too, such as a job relocation or the breakdown of a relationship.

‘Finding out the seller’s motivation to move will give you an idea of urgency and timescales which, in turn, could inform any offer you put forward.’

How old is the boiler?

This is a crucial question – as well as what the cost of council tax and approximate heating bills are.

‘All of this soon adds up, and if the boiler is more than 15 years old it will soon need replacing which can be a big additional outlay you might not expect – especially if this is the first home you are buying,’ Daniel explains.

Don’t forget to ask about the roof, too!

What are the neighbours like?

Nightmare neighbours can make your life a living hell. So to avoid any unexpected surprises when you move in, it’s a good idea to ask the agents about this early on.

‘It’s always good to be prepared but keep in mind historical issues may be personal rather than property related so it’s also important to draw your own conclusions on your neighbours!’

What’s included in the sale?

‘Estate agents have heard it all. But you should always be 100% sure of what’s included in the price before making an offer so make sure you ask,’ explains Daniel – whether it’s white goods or anything else.

‘When you make an offer, it’s important to be detailed and include anything extra you want in the email to your agent.’

What other questions should you be asking?

Of course, you’re not just limited to five questions. In fact, you should be asking as many as possible when buying a home, here are a few others to get you started…

How much deposit do I need?

What is the neighbourhood like?

Are there any issues with the house?

Have there been any extensions or renovations?

Have there been any damp issues?

Is this property in a conservation area?

How energy efficient is this property? / What is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Is there parking available?

Is there any subsidence?

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