Homebuyers have a lot to think about at the best of times. This is particularly the case if you are purchasing your first property and are new to the whole process. This is why it is important to know the techniques that sellers and estate agents use to encourage you to sign on the dotted line – even if the property isn’t ‘right’ for you.
In this article, Anderson Associates, independent chartered surveyors based in Suffolk, identify some of the techniques used to entice you to part with your money.
Recently Redecoration?
If you enter a recently decorated home, the important question to ask is why would they be doing this shortly before they move? They could simply be trying to get a better price for their property. However, they could also be using this to cover up a multitude of other sins. For example, a fresh lick of paint could be used to cover up damp in the walls.
Whatever you do, don’t be tempted into making an offer just because you like the interior colours of a home. What matters is the structural integrity of the property.
Floor Flaws
The same applies to new floors - is a nice new laminate or vinyl surface being used to boost the sale price or is it covering up problems underneath, such as an unstable subfloor?
Some homeowners will also replace the carpets before they sell because they know this will add quite a lot to the asking price, and potential buyers may be tempted to overlook other problems.
A Question of Space
Some homeowners will do a serious declutter before they put their house on the market. This is because removing larger items such as furniture can create the illusion of rooms being larger than they actually are.
It is important here to check that the owners haven’t taken this too far. Are all the usual appliance still in the kitchen – for instance, is there still a TV in the living room? Having the key furniture in the room allows you to imagine how the home will look when you move in. If the key furniture is not there, the property may be less spacious than you think.
Always remember however, it is your furniture and appliances that will furnish the property, NOT the vendors.
Beware Estate Agents’ Selling Techniques
Some estate agents may employ ‘home staging’ experts to declutter, clean and even bring in new furniture and accessories like artwork into a property to persuade you to buy it. It is important to remember that not all the fixtures and fittings will be included in the sale – even if the seller owns them.
Attending an ‘open house’ can seem attractive, especially if you have a busy life. But it is important to remember that you are only seeing the house on a specific day at a certain time. For example, it may seem quiet on the weekend day chosen for the event, but the weekday traffic may be totally different.
At open houses, you may also be restricted to a certain timeslot which does not give you enough time to really see everything you want. When you add other would-be buyers who are interested in the property into the equation, it is easy to feel pressured into making a quick decision.
What You Should Do
As well as visiting a property, ideally several times, there are a few other things you need to do:
Getting in Touch with Anderson Associates, Suffolk Chartered Surveyors
At Anderson Associates our services are not restricted to first-time buyers. Even those who are well versed in the art of purchasing a property still find our services useful.
We operate in east and south-east London, Kent, Essex and Suffolk and are equally adept at providing clear, unbiased advice on both large and small properties, as well as modern and period properties.
If you are interested in getting an unbiased full building survey, you can call us on either 01473 396005 or 07931 580046. You can also contact us by following this link and filling in the online contact form.
