Buying a New House in Leicester – Deciding Where to Live

Mortgage Advice in Leicester

Obtaining a home as a first time buyer in Leicester will be one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. It’s best to take your time when buying a home, as you need to be sure that the property you are looking at ticks all the boxes for you. Therefore, you must ask important questions that will help you make a decision.

If you are unsure of what to ask the seller, have a look at our shortlist of questions you could ask:

1. How much interest has been shown in the house?

In many cases, a new home that has been recently added to the property market can spark a lot more interest and become high in demand. Therefore, it’s best to act quickly to secure the plot. To have an insight into the amount of attraction there has been towards the house, you could ask the seller how many people have already viewed the property to see the amount of ‘competitors’ you may have.

2. Is there a chain?

A property chain is when you are waiting on the occupant that is in the property you are buying off to move out to their new property which they have to wait for. When it comes to a chain, it can mean that it will take longer to move due to the property already being occupied, however, if there isn’t a chain, this could mean you will be able to move in quicker.

From a seller’s point of view, a first time buyer in Leicester or someone who is not in a chain could be seen as more desirable as this could lead to a quicker sale. From a buyers point of view, these points can be a huge advantage and something to mention during your ‘negotiations’. 

3. Is there anything extra included in the sale?

In some cases, new homes can come with ‘extras’ that could persuade you to buy the house. Sometimes this is intentional and other times, the seller may simply wish to leave their older furniture behind. If you’re looking at buying an older home, you may find that there are unwanted items included, such as outdated furniture or well-used appliances.

It’s wise to check just to clarify, are things like cookers, fridges, and carpets, for example, could be included in the sale (or offered at an additional price). Make sure you clear as you may be left with unwanted items that you then need to remove and dispose of.

4. What are your new neighbours like?

Your experience with neighbours can make or break owning your own home. You risk losing enjoyment if you are stressed all the time with the people next door. Gaining an understanding of the neighbours can give you a good indication of what living there will be like, saving you that stress down the line.

5. What is the local area like?

Your personal criteria for the local area when hunting for a home, could be that you need a shop nearby or somewhere that’s only a short commute to work

Asking what the local area is like could mean you wanting to know about any leisure spots nearby e.g bars, gyms and restaurants or wanting to know what are the schools like if you are thinking of having a family in the future.

It’s best to do your research about the local area before committing yourself to any purchase. As people’s opinions are subjective so it’s best to make your own judgement.

6. Are there any running costs?

Associated costs such as heating, council tax, water (newer homes tend to have a water meter) are something to ask as it is part of running a home that you need to know. Many people are more aware of the running costs involved in owning a home or if not, you could ask a family member or friend.

7. What is the garden like?

Even though the British weather isn’t always sunny, some people still like spending time in the garden. Therefore, you may want to ask if the garden gets as much natural light and whether it’s south-facing etc.

8. Will any home improvements be needed?

When you move into your new home, you will often find that you will want to decorate it to your tastes. Home improvements can be essential to some older properties due to many needing ‘fixes’ or repairs. You may want to make improvements on the property such as insulation, efficiency, or garden work.

9. Are there any remedial fixes?

Buying an older property can come with repairs on some items. The seller can fix these issues if you have requested it to happen before the sale goes through or, in some cases, the seller may reduce the price. There can be some minor repairs if you are looking at a new build because of settlement or simple faults you identify after you moved in.

To make you aware of the remedial fixes that would be needed on a property, you may want to look into the different types of property surveys. Our mortgage advisors in Leicester can help recommend the most suitable survey for your property. Generally speaking if it’s a new build property, you will only need a basic valuation as you would hope with the property being new, that it is structurally sound. Whereas, if you are purchasing an older property, you may want to look into a home buyer’s report or full structural survey which should outline any defects with the property such as damp, subsidence etc.

When you are buying a new home whether it’s a new build or older property, make sure you ask the questions you need to know about the house. Asking the right questions, may be the difference between you buying the property or not.  

Date Last Edited: December 6, 2023