Good morning everyone,
I know this might not be the perfect place to ask, but we’re going to try our luck anyway.
My partner and I are viewing an existing property this afternoon. It’s a town villa built in 2006 with 128m² (1,378 sq ft) of living space on a plot of approximately 1000m² (0.25 acres). The asking price is 219,000€ negotiable and it’s located in a rather rural area. At first glance, the price seems quite fair and reasonable.
The house is rendered on the outside, not clad with bricks. We haven’t viewed many houses yet, so we’re turning to you for advice. What should we keep in mind during the viewing? What questions are essential to ask? For example, what type of bricks or blocks was the house built with, who was the developer? How is the house insulated?
If we like the property, do you recommend having a professional building inspector visit it a second time?
Is it important which type of heating system is installed and which manufacturer it is? What are your typical experiences with average gas consumption for a family of four?
Please share as many questions as possible. We don’t want to come across as completely inexperienced during the viewing. Of course, we also want to pay attention to as many details as possible.
The whole process is handled by a real estate agent.
I would be very grateful for any helpful answers.
Best regards,
zausel
I know this might not be the perfect place to ask, but we’re going to try our luck anyway.
My partner and I are viewing an existing property this afternoon. It’s a town villa built in 2006 with 128m² (1,378 sq ft) of living space on a plot of approximately 1000m² (0.25 acres). The asking price is 219,000€ negotiable and it’s located in a rather rural area. At first glance, the price seems quite fair and reasonable.
The house is rendered on the outside, not clad with bricks. We haven’t viewed many houses yet, so we’re turning to you for advice. What should we keep in mind during the viewing? What questions are essential to ask? For example, what type of bricks or blocks was the house built with, who was the developer? How is the house insulated?
If we like the property, do you recommend having a professional building inspector visit it a second time?
Is it important which type of heating system is installed and which manufacturer it is? What are your typical experiences with average gas consumption for a family of four?
Please share as many questions as possible. We don’t want to come across as completely inexperienced during the viewing. Of course, we also want to pay attention to as many details as possible.
The whole process is handled by a real estate agent.
I would be very grateful for any helpful answers.
Best regards,
zausel
Focus on the first impression. Would you feel comfortable?
At the second visit, with an expert inspector, things get serious.
Ask about load-bearing walls, the type of wood used for the windows, any previous renovations, whether there have been any water damages, and request to see the utility bills.
Is there a basement? How is the foundation constructed? A watertight concrete shell (known as "white tub" construction)?
Oh, I just noticed... built in 2006... there probably aren’t many hidden issues. The original building documents should still be available, which you could ask to receive.
At the second visit, with an expert inspector, things get serious.
Ask about load-bearing walls, the type of wood used for the windows, any previous renovations, whether there have been any water damages, and request to see the utility bills.
Is there a basement? How is the foundation constructed? A watertight concrete shell (known as "white tub" construction)?
Oh, I just noticed... built in 2006... there probably aren’t many hidden issues. The original building documents should still be available, which you could ask to receive.
D
DerBjoern5 Jun 2013 11:22Pay attention to odors. If the situation seems more serious, you might also consider asking the immediate neighbors. They usually notice if something was wrong with the house. And if you really want to buy, have a building inspector walk through the house with you. They don’t necessarily have to prepare a full report; it’s often enough if they take the time for an inspection and check if something might be wrong. That usually doesn’t cost that much. For me, it has already saved my behind!!
An expert inspector definitely gives you a better sense of security. On the other hand, a building from 2006 is still relatively new.
One of the most important things in the end is not necessarily the possibly low price, but your gut feeling. Take some time to walk through the house (and the land) on your own, without a real estate agent’s chatter, and just let it sink in. Can you imagine feeling comfortable and at home here? That’s something no amount of money can change later.
If you have young children, it’s also worth considering whether other young families live nearby or on the same street. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with our first home, so we constantly had to drive back and forth.
Then take a close look at the kind of neighbors around. We once had something like a hobby car repair workshop next door, which obviously affected the noise level.
Make sure to visit the house several times on your own, at different times of day, to observe and listen carefully.
One of the most important things in the end is not necessarily the possibly low price, but your gut feeling. Take some time to walk through the house (and the land) on your own, without a real estate agent’s chatter, and just let it sink in. Can you imagine feeling comfortable and at home here? That’s something no amount of money can change later.
If you have young children, it’s also worth considering whether other young families live nearby or on the same street. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with our first home, so we constantly had to drive back and forth.
Then take a close look at the kind of neighbors around. We once had something like a hobby car repair workshop next door, which obviously affected the noise level.
Make sure to visit the house several times on your own, at different times of day, to observe and listen carefully.
B
Bauexperte5 Jun 2013 14:48Hello,
Regards, Bauexperte
DerBjoern schrieb:The sellers most likely have the right to decide themselves who is informed about their intention to sell and who is not. Just because a real estate agent is involved does not necessarily mean that everyone in the vicinity of the property is aware of the sale intention!
If it gets more serious, I might also consider asking the immediate neighbors.
Regards, Bauexperte
D
DerBjoern5 Jun 2013 15:06Bauexperte schrieb:
The sellers apparently have the right to decide for themselves who is informed about their intention to sell and who is not Does he really have that right?!
And if you are determined to buy the property, wouldn’t you try to gather as much information as possible about the building? Just to maybe protect the owner’s “secret,” which wouldn’t be a secret anymore after the purchase anyway? Very commendable of you! Whether it’s wise is another question...
And if the agent or owner tells you to keep things confidential, that’s fine, but that rarely happens. At least, I haven’t experienced it in about 10-15 house viewings. The usual case was always an advertisement on popular property websites and sometimes even signs in front of the house. And if agents or owners asked me to remain silent or not contact the neighbors, it would definitely ring alarm bells for me...