What to do before buying a home

 

When looking for a home it is common for the heart to take over and to assume that the changes required will be cosmetic or implementable. We picture ourselves in an upgraded version of the property and often jump in without making sure we are looking at the right property.

I regularly receive enquiries from people who, quite literally, do not know what to do with their house. Typical problems include but are not limited to the following:

• They bought it assuming it could be extended,
• They thought it was larger than it is.
• They were sure the modernising works they needed could be done.
• they bought the property thinking that it could be refurbished quickly but then found out that the works require permits that can take up-to 4 months of approval only.

It is incredibly sad to see and more so because it could have been avoided for example by asking lots of questions to your agent.

Afterall, although some agents do not volunteer information and sometimes avoid topics that could (in their eyes) put the sale at risk, a good agent can be an asset at your disposal to learn from.

If you are in a country where you cannot pull out of your purchase without a penalty (unlike England), make sure that you take time to clarify important matters before making an offer.