Sarah Beeny’s top tips for house hunters this winter
WHILE finding a new place to call home can be an exciting time, the “honeymoon” period can soon fade - two-thirds of home owners say they’ve had unexpected problems after moving into a new home, according to a survey from Sarah Beeny’s estate agent, Tepilo.com.
In the chilly winter months problems with a property can become more acute, with broken boilers, heating problems and faulty windows being among common issues people face after moving into a new property.
Here are Beeny’s tips to help people avoid any nasty surprises - some of which could be costly to fix and if spotted, could help buyers viewing properties to negotiate on the price: Be boiler aware. A busted boiler in winter can be a nightmare - and new boilers don’t come cheap. Have a good look at the boiler whenever you view a property to get an idea of its condition and ask the seller or agent how old it is and whether it’s been regularly serviced. An old boiler with no service history is a potential money pit. Check out radiators too. If you’re viewing a home on a cold winter’s day and the heating is off, it could be a sign that something’s amiss. Ask the seller to switch it on and check each radiator works. Do the same with hot taps.
Investigate the electrics.
Old electrics can be dangerous, plus they can be expensive and messy to replace, so ask about them when viewing a house. Ask how old they are and if they’re over 15 years old or the current owner doesn’t know the age, it could be worth getting an electrical survey done to find out more. You can also get a good idea about the state of the electrics by looking at the sockets and fuse box - if they look old, then the rest of the electrics could be too. Check the pipes. Plumbing problems can be hard to spot, but leaks can be devastating, so look out for telltale signs of problems.
Look at walls and ceilings - if they’re stained with water marks or are showing signs of damp, it could be a sign of leaking pipes. Ask the seller about anything suspicious and make sure you get a good survey done before completing a house purchase.
Broken and faulty windows can be hugely expensive to repair and replace, so check them.
Make sure all windows open and close properly and take a close look at seals to make sure they’re intact and working.
Avoid any really nasty surprises after moving into a new home by looking for common signs of pests - droppings and signs of gnawing are major red flags.