The Do's and Dont's of Buying Property 1

Bear with me... most people think I’ve lost it after the first paragraph... and whilst I’m quite sure my impending dementia is not too many years distant... have a little faith and read on... I do this every time I need to survey a property for either myself or professionally for someone else and you will be surprised at how useful it can be on occasion. Before viewing a property for the first time make sure you’ve had a drink, something to eat, that you’re not uncomfortable or in need of the loo and make sure you have a little time before your appointment. After arranging access you will have read the property particulars a few times, reviewed the pictures provided and you will have focused on the precise features and areas that you want to look into (what about this, what about that, will the furniture fit, etc). You’ve arrived eager and ready to go (let us assume by car, strategically parking close to, but not directly outside the property). Now here’s the important bit. Wind down the window, switch off the radio, switch off the engine, shut up and DO NOTHING... at least for a few minutes.

You’re listening to the general noise relevant to this time of day, you’re listening for excessive (by your standards) traffic noise, you’re listening for trains, construction works or anything else that may need to be considered as a possible nuisance if you’re going to be repeatedly subjected to it. Anything of concern to you should be investigated further by walking the area and finding out where the noise is coming from and in establishing whether it’s an odd occurrence or a persistent offender.

Having made relevant mental notes, it’s time to leave the warmth of your vehicle and walk a good 500 paces or so in either direction from where you are, more if necessary. It’s always best to remember to shut the window and lock the car beforehand... nothing more annoying than it not being there when you get back. As you walk away consider the number of parked cars and spaces (is this commuter, school or occupier parking and is it going to be a problem), how busy is the road relevant to your intended use of the property, what condition are the pavements and roads in, how clean are they. This can be very insightful.

As you walk back toward the property take a good look at the gardens of properties that you pass on both sides of the street and consider whether these are:-

• Well maintained – suggestive of potential community spirit
• Overgrown and/or debris strewn – suggestive of vacancy or a lack of community involvement (possible trouble)
• Strewn with construction debris – suggestive of ongoing refurbishment works to either individual or a number of properties. Could this suggest a trend to improve the area and raised property values?
• Predominantly paved with front boundary walls removed and drop kerbs – suggestive of a potential parking issue.
• Occupied by decayed, lopped, damaged or substantial trees which may affect the adjacent or subject property – this should be more specifically investigated to determine the degree of threat posed (if any).
• Security conscious with high gates to boundaries and side accesses, high fences or railings to the boundaries, etc – all of which could suggest an insular community or one suffering intrusion or policing problems.

At the same time examine closely the properties you pass on both sides of the street and consider:-

• Whether the roof coverings generally appear original or do you suspect these to have been changed? If changed, is it like-for-like or with cheaper/alternative materials? Is there a trend for the roofs to be deflected/’dished’?
• Whether the external walls look original or have these been subsequently coated (rendered, tiled, painted, etc) which may have been done to conceal or remedy defects.
• Whether the external walls generally show recurrent signs of fracturing in similar or unsuspected locations?
• Whether the external windows and doors appear to have been replaced or original?
• Whether there are any significant signs of movement or structural repair works having been undertaken to properties in this area?
• Whether the property has been replaced, significantly altered or extended.

It should be possible, even for a lay-person with a bit of practice, to formulate a fair opinion of what are typically recurrent defects particular to the property type under consideration and furthermore to formulate a general understanding of the social, cleanliness and policing issues to which the area may be subject.

It is important to appreciate that the context and idiosyncrasies of a properties setting are typically beyond your control upon acquisition, during occupation and upon disposal (unless you are a die-hard life longer campaigner who will make it their ambition to remedy same). You can change the specifics within the property, within set parameters, to your heart’s content but an external problem will typically always be a problem. We’ve all found that perfect property, if only we could move it just that little bit further away from where some damn fool built it. Don’t compromises too much.

Only now, if you are still content with the setting, can you actually begin to consider the subject property.

So why the drink, the food, the comfort and the concern for your urinary condition? You should at all times remain focused during any major decision and you will undoubtedly find that the less scrupulous seller will periodically roll out the old favourite of baking bread, putting on a pot of coffee or other such trick just before inspection by prospective purchasers and with these sums of money at stake, it pays not to get distracted.

Stay tuned, next time we might actually get inside.

The Editor