Buying a property is a major financial commitment. You don't want to invest financially or emotionally in a property only to discover there are serious problems with it that you failed to identify during your initial inspections.
Below are 3 essential checks that every property buyer needs to make before committing to making a purchase.
Doors and windows
Don't settle for a simple visual inspection of doors and windows on a property. You need to know that they open and close smoothly. A dodgy door or a window that doesn't quite close properly might not be deal-breakers, but you need to know about them before moving in.
Any repairs you will need to make or new locks you plan to install will increase the cost of moving and you will need to factor them in. Remember, the quality and reliability of doors and windows will affect the property's security and energy-efficiency.
The local area
Just as important as the property itself is the local area and nearby amenities. Your real estate agent should be able to answer any questions you have about what's around and how accessible local shops, public transport, etc. are.
Everyone's requirements are different, so if there are specific services you need easy access to, be sure to ask about them. For example, if you have school-aged children, it's worth finding out about nearby schools and libraries. You might also want to find out what the public transport infrastructure is like.
Find out why the property is on the market
One of the key pieces of information that any property adviser will advise you to find out before purchasing a property is how long it's been on the market and why the current owners are selling. In most cases, the reasons will be perfectly innocent. But even if they are, you might learn something useful about what the property is worth.
Doing your due diligence before committing to a property purchase is essential for avoiding any nasty surprises. Make sure you find out as much as possible about the property and why it's on the market before investing in it.