The homebuyer’s survey is something that is often misunderstood by the vast majority of people. However, it is nothing to fear, and once understood, the it becomes an asset instead of a cause of worry.
In this article, we will be telling you 5 pieces of vital information you need to know about the homebuyer’s survey in the hopes of giving you all the tools you need in order to properly conduct one yourself or how to pass one if it is your property that is in question.
What Is a Homebuyer’s Survey?
First things first, let's actually dive into what a homebuyer’s survey is and what's it's for. A homebuyer’s survey is an investigation that is carried out in order to ensure a property is safe to live as well as to see if there are any problems.
If a property fails a homebuyer’s survey, it could still potentially be sold depending on the issue at hand, but it will more than likely have an effect on the price.
This means that if you are selling your home and some issues pop up on the homebuyer’s survey, you will either have to fix the issues yourself and then sell your property or sell it for a lower price. On the other hand, if you are the one buying a property and the homebuyer’s survey shows some issues with said property, you will have to decide whether or not you still want to go through with the purchase, and if you do, renegotiate for a lower price.
Damp Is a Common Issue That Many People Face When Undertaking a Homebuyer’s Survey
Perhaps the most common problem that shows up on a homebuyer’s survey is that of damp accruing throughout the property.
If you are looking at buying a property and it has issues with damp, then it's vital that you either tell the current owners to fix the issue before you are willing to purchase it if it is bad enough. On the other hand, you could offer a lower sum and opt to fix it up yourself, which may be the better choice if the damp isn't too serious of an issue.
Watch Out for Alarms & Know How Important They Are
One of the most overlooked necessities of a house is the alarms. Furthermore, this is oftentimes something that flags up on the homebuyer’s survey which could lead to unnecessary headache.
If you are looking to sell a property, make sure you get all the required alarms such as a smoke alarm or break-in alarm to make sure you don’t have to deal with unnecessary headache in the future. Alternatively, if you are purchasing a property without alarms, make sure you tell the current owner to install them before buying said property.
The Main Issue May Actually Be Above Your House
An unexpected issue that catches a vast number of people out is that of structural issues with the roof of a property. Even if this isn't a major issue at the time, structural issues can easily turn into a huge problem in the future.
Because of this, it's vital to proceed with caution with any property that has any foundational issues.
Certifications & Documents Are Crucial
Homebuyer's surveys also factor in all the required documents that a property requires in order to be eligible to sell. This includes the official documents for the house, as well as health and safety certificates.
Make sure to get all of your documents in order when looking to sell your property, and never purchase a property without proper documentation.
Conclusion
If one takes all of the tips we mentioned throughout this article and applies them when conducting a homebuyer’s survey, you will have a much easier time knowing what to look out for when buying a property or even if you are selling a property.
If you are looking to purchase or sell a property in the UK, please feel free to check with TRPE- The Real Property Experts. We have properties for sale in every area in the UK and our expert team members can help you every step of the way.
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