Buying a home in the UK is not a straightforward process. When searching for the right property for you and your family, consider the details before you part with your hard-earned cash.
If you are viewing homes in Wimbledon, South Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Battersea, Putney or beyond, this home buying guide will help you ask the right questions and spot potential issues, saving you time and money.
Living in South West London often includes the benefit of excellent local schools, access to green space, good public transport links, (and if you’re near Wimbledon) one of the world’s most iconic sporting events on your doorstep. With properties across the area in high demand, it’s tempting to make a quick decision – and all too easy to miss out on your dream home if you aren’t organised.
Make sure you’re prepared by reading our checklist of everything you need to know when buying a house in South West London:
Take a partner, friend or family member to the viewing while house hunting. It always helps to have someone to bounce ideas off and give you a second opinion.
Look at the property’s exterior to get an idea of whether the property is structurally sound. What is the general condition of the brickwork or rendering? Look out for big cracks, especially around where extensions join, end-of-terrace walls and bay windows.
Pay attention to the roof, if it looks reasonably new that is a good sign. Look for missing or cracked tiles and check whether the fascia (the wooden section under the roof) looks okay.
Replacing windows and doors can be very expensive, so check them for any signs of rotten window frames, ageing glazing, warped doors, or any other potential issues.
From a security perspective, doors and windows should be in good condition and fitted with high-quality locks that meet the requirements of insurance companies. Without the approved locks, the property will be more at risk of burglary, and you may have to pay more for your insurance policy.
Resolving the cause of damp and repairing the damage it has caused can be costly. Signs of damp include a mouldy smell, flaky plaster, and watermarked walls or ceilings.
Inspect any visible pipework in the kitchen and bathroom for signs of leaks or water damage. Run the taps to check the water pressure and see how long it takes to run hot water. Ask the estate agent about the boiler’s age, whether it has been regularly serviced and if it is still under warranty. Make sure the heating system works and that it is gas safe.
Faulty wiring can be dangerous, and paying to rewire your home is expensive, so this is important to check when viewing a house. A survey will show if the property needs electrical safety updates, like rewiring, but you can get an indication of the state of the wiring by looking at the fuse box. Also, check the age and condition of the plug sockets and light switches. If they look old and outdated, there is a good chance the electrical wiring is too.
These days we all have many electric appliances and gadgets, consider whether there are enough plug points in each room for all of yours.
Clever staging and good lighting can mean that room sizes are quite different when viewing the property in person. If you are keeping your existing furniture, you should ensure that it will fit into your new home.
You should measure all your larger furniture items such as the sofa, dining table, beds etc. and list the measurements, then take a tape measure with you on the viewing, to check it will fit. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay for new furniture on top of your moving costs.
Energy costs are constantly increasing, and most people don’t want to live in a property that is expensive to heat and uncomfortably cold and draughty in winter. Every property need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be listed for sale, to tell buyers how energy efficient the property is, so make use of it.
Ask to see the EPC certificate for the property as well as energy bills (you can also search at gov.uk). Have a look in the loft to see if insulation has been laid. A quarter of a home’s heat is lost through the roof, so loft insulation can dramatically affect your energy bills.
Double glazing makes a big difference to the energy efficiency of a home, so find out how modern it is and whether it will need replacing in the near future. Look out for condensation between double-glazed windowpanes, this means that they are faulty and will need to be repaired or replaced.
It can be tempting to pay for the cheapest survey option, but saving a few hundred pounds in the short run could cost you thousands later. The most basic survey will not identify all potential problems, while a home buyer’s survey is more thorough. You can find out more about the three different levels of survey in this article – what type of survey should I have?
If you are buying a home that is over 50 years old, it is recommended that you have a more comprehensive survey. If the survey suggests repair work, get quotes for the job so that you know exactly how much it will cost. You might still want to proceed with the purchase but could use the repair costs to renegotiate the house price.
Clever home staging can make a home more appealing than it really is. For example, mirror placement can trick you into believing there is more space and a fresh coat of paint can cover the cracks (or damp patches).
Some areas have significantly better mobile signal and broadband speed than others. When you are viewing the property, check the signal on your mobile. You can also use online tools to find out what the broadband speed is like for the local area.
Establish which direction the house faces when viewing a house; if you are unsure, download a compass app on your phone.
Your own preferences may dictate what to look for when buying a house when it comes to direction. A north-facing home or garden will get less sun in the summer, and rooms may be dark during the winter. A south-facing garden will get plenty of light and warmth in the summer, but the rooms could get unbearably hot, especially if the property has large bi-folding doors.
Is there enough cupboard space for all your stuff? Where will you keep your vacuum cleaner, spare towels and bedding? Is there room for cupboards or shelves to be built in?
Loft space can vary significantly from one home to another. Even if you are not considering converting the loft or using it for storage, you should check if it is easy to access and whether there are boards down. You may also be able to check the insulation and look for any gaps in the roof tiles from the loft.
Many terraced and semi-detached properties have poor soundproofing meaning noise from neighbouring houses can be heard in the property. Pay attention to this as you are looking around. If the owner has a radio or television on during the viewing, ask for it to be turned down.
Don’t get carried away if you fall in love with the house on your first viewing. You might miss some important observations or forget to ask key questions about the property. View the property at least twice and get a second opinion from a friend or family member.
Try to book your viewing for different times of the day to see if there is any difference in noise or traffic, for example. If you can’t arrange the viewings for different times, drive past the property to check whether the quiet street you visited in the morning becomes a chaotic commuter route or gets rowdy when any nearby pubs close.
Don’t assume that appliances and fittings will be left when the sellers move out. Some white goods may be included in the sale, but it is a good idea to check with the estate agent. Fittings are easily removed, such as free-standing appliances, curtain rails and carpets. What some people think will automatically be included when buying a home might differ from what the sellers actually leave, so make sure to ask.
After you leave the viewing, you will forget some of the property details unless you take photos and videos to look back on. Even if there are photos of the property online, they will have been taken to show the property more favourably and miss some significant areas.
Buying a home is a big commitment, so don’t make your decision based on a quick viewing. It is normal to ask lots of questions, so don’t feel like you are taking up the agent’s or vendor’s time. If they are keen to sell, it is in their best interests to let you take your time.
Things to check when buying a home include:
Drive around the nearby streets to get a feel for the neighbourhood and look out for anything potentially problematic. Find out what shops, restaurants and other facilities there are nearby. Check out your commute to work and look around local schools.
There are some additional details that you should check if you are viewing a flat:
There are some unique issues when it comes to buying new builds. Here’s a house checklist of what to ask and look for before buying a new build, as a starting point:
If you’re buying a house to flip, you may find that older properties can surprise you (and your budget). Know what to ask the estate agent and what to look for when buying a Victorian house, Edwardian, or even a 20th Century property to renovate, for instance:
If you’re planning on making an offer on an investment property, there are some further things to ask and look for:
Hopefully these 24 home buying tips have given you a better understanding of what to look for when buying a house, but your estate agent will be able to provide you with more advice should you need.
Are you looking to buy a property in Wimbledon, Wimbledon Village, Coombe Hill, Merton Park or the surrounding area? We know the local property market and have many fabulous homes on our books, so if you’re a buyer looking in the area, get in touch with us today.
Let us know what you are looking for in your new home and we will tailor our search to your requirements.
Book a quick phone consultation with one of our negotiators.
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