The importance of asking questions when buying a home

A new survey has found that many people are entirely naive when it comes to buying a new home. The study highlights the importance of asking the right questions when property purchasing.

According to the findings (Terry’s Fabrics), 22% of buyers spent less than 30 minutes viewing their home. Shockingly, that's shorter than the average commute to work in the UK. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, only 35% viewed their home for two hours or longer.

Comparing the home buying process with other activities, the report found that:

• More than half of us spend more time choosing a holiday than a home. That's even though the average cost of a holiday for a family of four is just £4,792

• 10% of Brits take longer choosing a restaurant than they do viewing a potential new home. However, average house prices in the UK are more than 20,000 times higher than the average restaurant meal

• Over 10% of people in the UK spend more time deciding on an outfit than a new home.

However, at a time of rising house prices, where it has become increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to purchase a home, it is more important than ever to ensure that people make the right decision when buying property.

What questions should you ask?

The survey also looked at what potential buyers wish they had checked before putting in an offer.

• 10% wish they had checked the electrics and plugs

• 24% wish they had checked the doors, windows and/or roof

• 30% wished they had asked how warm the home was in winter

• 16% wish they had spent the night to find out how noisy the neighbours are

• 20% wish they had looked for plumbing leaks by using the bath/shower/toilet.

Of course, spending the night in a potential new home is not something that most estate agents or sellers would allow. However, many of these checks could be easily done.

Worryingly, even though many checks are within the rights of potential property buyers, over 16% of respondents felt that they would appear rude for asking these questions. Therefore, it’s perhaps not surprising that 60% of property owners were not aware of their house issues before buying.

With restoring drainage, fixing cracks, making roofing improvements and the removal of rot potentially costing more than £4,850, it's vital that buyers become more aware.