Buying a house represents an important moment in our lives of us. For this, you need to pay close attention to what you intend to buy and what you sign. Before signing your contract or purchasing proposal, make sure you have completed all of the necessary checks. A purchase proposal is a declaration signed by the proposing buyer and addressed to the seller, through which the intention is to buy the asset for sale.
Ask Who Is the Real Owner of the Property is and if the Documentation Is in Order
This question is also very important and constitutes an essential step. It is necessary to verify that the seller is the owner of the property and the sole owner. It is necessary to make sure that there are no mortgages or any kind of debts associated with the property and that it is not the subject of a judicial auction. These checks are carried out at the Real Estate Registry. In addition, it is important that you hire professional Bermondsey estate & letting agents who will check that all town planning documents are in order, request an updated cadastral survey of the house, verify the intended use, and check that the cadastral plan and the map correspond to the actual state of the property.
Ask Why the House Is for Sale
It may seem like a very simple question, but the first step is to ask the real estate agent why the owners have been selling that house and for how long. With this question, you will be able to discover if there is something wrong with the property they are selling.
Once you have made sure that there is nothing to hide, you can request to view the usable area that corresponds to the one that you saw in the ad.
Ask if the Systems Are Up to Date and What Is the Energy Class of the Building
The owner of the property must issue a certificate certifying that the systems are up to standard and a document on the energy class of the building (energy performance certificate), which may depend on several factors. A house with a good energy class allows you to save on bills. This pays off in the long run, so make sure to check that everything is in order, and if not, ask them to do the necessary repairs or to cut the price so you can do it by yourself.
Ask About the Condition of the Property and Whether Any Kind of Maintenance Will Be Required in the Future
Important expenses, such as renovations and refurbishment of the roof or windows, can cost you a significant amount of money, even in the short term. This is why it is important to ascertain the conditions of the building and the interventions it may need. Ask if the property can be modified or expanded. In the future, you may need to expand your home, add a floor, balcony, or veranda, or open new windows. Ask if it is possible to work on the building and to what extent.
Make sure to find out whether there is increased humidity in the home.
Humidity, in addition to being a problem from an aesthetic point of view, also brings with it unpleasant situations and diseases. Mold releases harmful spores into the air for us humans and, above all, for the little ones. The effects can be different: respiratory problems, continuous colds, headaches, burning eyes, and allergies in general. Although the mold can be eliminated, the method to be followed requires a very large expense. For this reason, it is good to ask in advance if there are situations of this kind.
In addition to the cost of the property, another important thing you need to know upfront is the percentage paid to the commission of the real estate agent. This is something you must consider upfront as not all real estate agents have the same rates. Depending on knowledge and experience, they all have different rates and rules. Make sure to talk about it before agreeing to anything. To avoid finding yourself in a difficult situation, it is important to know all the expenses that you should expect. That way, you will prepare yourself upfront without being surprised about something.