Buying a home is one of the most important steps in your life. It is an important investment that affects many aspects of your life. After searching in the area where you want to buy your house or apartment or villa, you may have found the one that suits you in every way: type of house, characteristics, area, price, etc. The next step is to visit the property to get to know it in detail.
It is during this first visit that you should pay attention to many details and not get carried away by the rush. There are many things to ask during this first contact before committing to sign a contract. You will avoid inconveniences and misunderstandings; you will know better the area where you will live and you will be able to negotiate with all the information available.
In order to do things right and have all the information you need to decide to make an offer, Villas Master has compiled a list of the most important questions you should ask before taking the plunge.
Status of the transaction
Why is the property being sold?
Although this is a very direct question, you can naturally ask the owner. This will let you know if there is an urgency to sell the house or if there is a problem with the property. With this information, you will be able to negotiate the price or, on the contrary, it is a very good offer that can “fly” quickly.
How long has it been on the market?
If the property has been on the market for a long time (about 6 months), this can be due to many reasons: a bad commercial strategy, a lack of flexibility when negotiating, the fact that you started at an unrealistic market price, or even because of a hidden defect. This will allow you to negotiate a more appropriate price.
How many visits have you had?
This question is usually very private, but the owner can give you some clues. The more the property is viewed, the more competition there is and the less time you have to decide.
Is there a problem with the sale?
It’s important to know who the owners are, if there is a divorce or inheritance, or if there are any outstanding debts, to know if there are any potential problems with the transaction.
When can I move in?
Sometimes homeowners need additional time from the time of purchase to move in or clear the property of their belongings. It is important to know when you can move in.
Situation of the property
Has the property been damaged?
During this first visit, you should ask for all the details regarding the condition of the property. Check if the taps are leaking, if the sanitary installations and plumbing are in good condition, if there are defective electrical outlets, if the heating and air conditioning are working properly, if there are doors and windows that do not close, if the walls need a coat of paint, if the automatic sprinkler system or the swimming pool are in perfect condition.
If during a first visit, everything is not clear, it is essential to make a second visit with a technician who will advise you.
Is there any humidity?
Check for moisture in the ceilings and walls, especially in areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Often this can be hidden by furniture, but some clues will be a moving tile, a door that doesn’t close properly, outlets that don’t work or low water pressure.
When was the last renovation?
Ask when the last renovation took place and what work was done. Rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms are often renovated over time.
There may also have been improvements made, such as installing air conditioning or heating, or changing doors and windows with better insulation.
All of these improvements will help you know if the selling price is adequate or if you can negotiate it.
How many usable meters does the house have?
The built and useful meters are different, and to avoid misunderstandings, it is important to know both the built surface that you can consult in the cadaster or in the property titles, and the surface of the house that can be used.
With the owner’s permission, it is interesting to take some measurements of the surface of the rooms, in order to evaluate if it corresponds to what you are looking for.
What is the orientation of the house?
The orientation of the house in relation to the sun and the distribution of the rooms according to the light and heat they receive is one of the most important aspects to evaluate when buying a house.
It will help you reduce energy consumption, avoid humidity and have a warm and comfortable home.
Do you have a lot of natural light?
Natural light is one of the most important factors when choosing a home. A bright house is more beautiful and welcoming.
It is therefore advisable to visit the house at different times of the day to make sure how much light it receives depending on the orientation, neighboring buildings or the size of the windows.
Does the property have a community of neighbors?
You should find out if the property is in a neighboring community and what the expenses are.
A small residential area should have fewer expenses than a community with many common areas such as pools, gardens and sports areas. You should also consider whether there are any planned encumbrances, work or renovations on the property.
How much is usually spent on utilities?
You can ask the owner how much they usually pay for electricity or water, to get an idea of what you will be spending.
Is furniture included?
Ask if the landlord will leave any furniture or appliances such as the refrigerator, oven or washing machine. Not only because you might like them (in addition to the savings and time it takes to move in), but also because you will have to remove them if you don’t want them either.
What’s the neighborhood like?
Find out everything you need to know about the area where the property is located: public transportation, road access, parking facilities, proximity to schools, hospitals, supermarkets, stores, etc.
You can also get an idea of the average price of properties in the area.
Is there a lot of noise in the area?
Ask the owner about living with neighbors, street noise, late opening of stores, traffic, safety in the area. Ask other neighbors as well.
Status of the documentation
Is all the paperwork in order?
Before making a decision and an offer, the owner must prove that everything is in order. Ask for a simple note, documents equivalent to the certificate of habitability in Spain, documents that guarantee that the property in question is indeed habitable.
Does the property have any outstanding debts?
To avoid surprises, ask the owner for proof of payment of community fees, garbage collection taxes, and electricity, water and gas bills.
What municipal taxes do I have to pay?
In addition to property taxes, the municipality may also charge certain taxes of its own that you should be aware of. In some countries, you have to pay garbage tax, but there may be others depending on the location of the house, the city or the country. Finding out about this will help you avoid an unexpected expense.
Having a home that suits your expectations is so important that you should never hesitate to ask questions when visiting the property. It is through the answers that you can decide with full knowledge of the facts whether the property is made for you or not.
But if you still have doubts, our agency can help you find the property of your dreams. We always have offers, advice on how to make the best choice and we will of course answer all your questions during your visit to our properties.
Visit our website or contact us directly.
