Top Tips When Buying a House

Five key questions asked by people facing a Coronavirus emergency Next Back to Blog Contact Us Buying a house is a big commitment, why spend only 20 minutes looking around the home you are planning to spend the next decade or more in? With the right eyes and know-how, you will be able to spot some of the telltale signs of a house likely to need lots of work. We can help you steer clear of potential problems and hopefully save you a lot of time, money and effort. Check For Damp There are some obvious signs of damp in a home which makes this one of the simpler checks you can do yourself. The main giveaways are a mouldy or “fusty” smell, flaky or crumbly plaster and watermarked walls or ceilings. Look closely around the tops and bottoms of walls, be cautious if a room has recently been repainted as this could be covering otherwise visible damp. Which Way Does The House Face? As the sun rises east to west, a south-facing garden and windows will make the most of the daylight hours, provided there is nothing blocking your view of course. Homes with large south-facing windows will make the best use of light and benefit most from the suns warmth. It really can make the difference between feeling that your home is light and spacious or drab and dreary. You could even take a compass with you or use your phone if you really need to. Take A Measuring Tape We have all heard stories of developers putting smaller furniture in rooms to make them seem bigger, so watch out! Measure your existing furniture beforehand and take a measuring tape to find out if your new home will have the space to fit all of your favourite items. How Old Is The Roof? A roof is not as hardy as some of the other parts of a house, with a life expectancy of around 15-20 years. Roofs can be very costly, awkward and time-consuming to replace. Some things to look out for to check the condition of the roof include: ●Leaks and wet patches on the ceiling inside the house ●Visible damage to tiles or the membrane on the outside of the house ●Cracks or worn soffits and surrounding roof fittings ●Damage to the chimney or lining around the edge of the chimney Ask the landlord or estate agent when the roof was last replaced on the house, if the roof is more than 20 years old, it will more than likely need replacing in the near future. Naughtons Solicitors: Valuable Conveyancing & Property Advice Take your time when looking around any property you are going to buy, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and thoroughly investigate the place before committing to anything. Get in touch with our friendly team if you require help and advice when buying a property. We are on hand to provide all the legal support you need including conveyancing, property surveys, purchasing advice and more. Feel Free To Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp More From The Blog Common reasons for Personal Injury claims September 18, 2019 Personal injury claims are aimed at gaining compensation for victims of personal injury incidents, from the liable party. For many, Read More » Five key questions asked by people facing a Coronavirus emergency March 3, 2020 If you need expert advice on how you have been affected by Coronavirus or COVID-19, we have covered five of Read More » How to get the best legal advice November 21, 2019 When it comes to choosing a family lawyer, it is absolutely essential that you choose the right one to ensure Read More »