What To Look For When Buying a House (Are The Sellers HIDING Something?)

Buying a House: Ensuring Property Quality and Protection

In this video, the speaker provides a comprehensive guide to conducting checks when buying a house. These checks aim to ensure that the property being purchased is accurately represented and to protect the buyer from potential issues. The speaker emphasizes the importance of conducting these checks in advance to avoid wasting time on properties that do not meet requirements.

Finding Property Details

• Use Rightmove or similar platforms to find an example property for analysis.

• Obtain the postcode and council information for further searches.

• Look for the postcode in the PDF brochure provided by estate agents.

• If necessary, use Google Street View or search with partial postcode and road name to find complete postcode details.

• Identify the relevant council responsible for the property.

Checking Planning Permission

• Check for planning permission in the area surrounding the property.

• Conduct this check early on to avoid investing time and money before discovering any undesirable developments nearby.

Assessing Structural Issues

• Inspect neighboring properties for signs of structural problems or poor maintenance.

• Look out for cracks, dampness, or other visible issues that may indicate potential problems with the property being considered.

Investigating Local Amenities and Services

• Research local amenities such as schools, shops, transportation links, and healthcare facilities.

• Consider proximity to desired amenities when evaluating a property's suitability.

Examining Crime Rates and Safety

• Review crime rates in the area using online resources or contacting local authorities.

• Consider safety factors such as street lighting, security measures, and neighborhood watch schemes.

Evaluating Noise Levels

• Assess noise levels by visiting at different times of day or using online tools that provide noise level data.

• Consider factors like traffic noise, nearby construction sites, or other sources of disturbance.

Checking Environmental Factors

• Investigate environmental factors such as flood risk, pollution levels, and proximity to industrial sites.

• Consult local authorities or environmental agencies for relevant information.

Verifying Property Boundaries

• Confirm property boundaries by reviewing the title plan and conducting a physical inspection if necessary.

• Ensure there are no encroachments or boundary disputes that may affect the property.

Reviewing Energy Efficiency

• Check the energy efficiency rating of the property using an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

• Consider potential costs for heating and cooling based on the property's energy efficiency.

Assessing Maintenance Costs

• Estimate maintenance costs by considering factors like age, condition, and size of the property.

• Take into account potential repairs or renovations needed in the near future.

Conducting Surveys

• Engage a qualified surveyor to conduct a thorough inspection of the property.

• Different types of surveys are available depending on specific needs and concerns.

Seeking Legal Advice

• Consult with a solicitor or conveyancer to handle legal aspects of the purchase process.

• Solicitors provide additional protection but may not cover all checks mentioned in this video.

Finding Property Details

This section focuses on finding detailed information about a specific property, including its postcode and council details. The speaker demonstrates how to navigate online platforms like Rightmove to access relevant information through PDF brochures provided by estate agents. Additionally, they explain how to use Google Street View and search engines to find missing details.

Steps:

1. Use Rightmove or similar platforms to find an example property.

2. Find the postcode:

• Open the PDF brochure attached to the listing.

• Look for "particulars" or similar sections within the brochure where postcode information is usually provided.

• If necessary, zoom in on images within the brochure to identify house numbers associated with postcodes.

3. Find missing house numbers or confirm the postcode:

• Use Google Street View to locate the property and find its house number.

• If the postcode is missing, search for the road name and partial postcode on Google to obtain complete details.

Example:

• Property: Fortified Woods, Forestdale Road, House Number 6

• Postcode: ME5 9NB

• Council: Maidstone Castle

Checking Planning Permission

This section emphasizes the importance of checking planning permission before proceeding with a property purchase. The speaker highlights that solicitors typically conduct this check later in the process but recommends doing it in advance to avoid wasting time and money on unsuitable properties.

Steps:

1. Research planning permission in the area surrounding the property.

2. Look for any developments that may impact the desirability of the property.

3. Consider potential issues such as new construction projects or changes in zoning regulations.

Assessing Structural Issues

This section focuses on assessing structural issues when considering a property purchase. The speaker advises inspecting neighboring properties for signs of poor maintenance or structural problems that could affect the desired property's value or livability.

Steps:

1. Observe neighboring properties for visible signs of structural issues like cracks, dampness, or subsidence.

2. Take note of any concerns regarding neighboring buildings' condition and maintenance levels.

Investigating Local Amenities and Services

This section highlights the importance of researching local amenities and services when evaluating a potential property purchase. The speaker suggests considering proximity to schools, shops, transportation links, and healthcare facilities based on personal preferences and needs.

Steps:

1. Research local amenities such as schools, shops, public transportation, and healthcare facilities.

2. Consider the proximity of these amenities to the property being considered.

Checking Environmental Factors

This section emphasizes the need to investigate environmental factors that may impact a property's desirability or suitability. The speaker suggests considering flood risk, pollution levels, and proximity to industrial sites when evaluating a property.

Steps:

1. Research potential environmental factors such as flood risk, pollution levels, and nearby industrial sites.

2. Consult local authorities or environmental agencies for relevant information.

Verifying Property Boundaries

This section focuses on verifying property boundaries to ensure there are no encroachments or boundary disputes that could affect the purchase. The speaker recommends reviewing the title plan and conducting physical inspections if necessary.

Steps:

1. Review the title plan provided by solicitors or conveyancers.

2. Conduct a physical inspection of the property boundaries if needed.

3. Ensure there are no encroachments or boundary disputes that may affect ownership rights.

Reviewing Energy Efficiency

This section highlights the importance of reviewing a property's energy efficiency rating using an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The speaker suggests considering potential heating and cooling costs based on the property's energy efficiency.

Steps:

1. Obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property.

2. Review the energy efficiency rating provided in the EPC.

3. Consider potential costs associated with heating and cooling based on this rating.

Assessing Maintenance Costs

This section focuses on estimating maintenance costs when considering a property purchase. The speaker advises taking into account factors such as age, condition, and size of the property, as well as potential repairs or renovations needed in the near future.

Steps:

1. Estimate maintenance costs based on factors like property age, condition, and size.

2. Consider potential repairs or renovations that may be required in the near future.

Conducting Surveys

This section emphasizes the importance of engaging a qualified surveyor to conduct surveys when purchasing a property. The speaker mentions different types of surveys available and suggests choosing one based on specific needs and concerns.

Steps:

1. Hire a qualified surveyor to conduct a thorough inspection of the property.

2. Discuss specific requirements with the surveyor to determine the most appropriate type of survey.

Seeking Legal Advice

This section highlights the importance of seeking legal advice from solicitors or conveyancers when buying a property. The speaker recommends consulting professionals to handle legal aspects of the purchase process and mentions that solicitors provide additional protection but may not cover all checks mentioned in this video.

Steps:

1. Consult with a solicitor or conveyancer experienced in property transactions.

2. Seek professional guidance for handling legal aspects of the purchase process.

3. Understand that solicitors may provide additional protection but might not cover all checks mentioned in this video.

Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly depending on video playback speed and version used for transcription.

Overview of Property Information

In this section, the speaker discusses how to access property information using a postcode. They mention that various websites provide details about planning applications and permissions for properties in a specific area.

Accessing Planet Mission Information

• By entering a postcode on certain websites, users can view all the current planning applications and permissions for properties in that area.

• Different councils may offer additional features on these websites.

Checking Planning Applications

• Users can search for recent planning applications to see if any nearby properties have applied for or received permission for projects that could potentially impact their own property.

• This feature is helpful in identifying potential issues or changes in the neighborhood.

Using Maps to Visualize Planning Permissions

• Some websites also provide maps that show planner permissions around a specific property.

• By adjusting filters, users can view planning activities over different time periods (e.g., last six months, two years).

• This visualization helps users understand which neighboring properties have ongoing planning issues.

Exploring Street View and Historical Data

In this section, the speaker explains how to use Google Street View to explore historical data and visualize changes in a property or its surroundings over time.

Viewing Historical Street View Images

• Users can access historical street view images by clicking on "See more dates" in the top left-hand corner of Google Street View.

• This feature allows users to see how a property looked like in previous years, including any renovations or changes made.

Benefits of Exploring Historical Data

• Examining historical street view images helps users understand what their target property has been through over time.

• It provides insights into neighboring properties' activities and even parking situations.

• Over 10 years' worth of data is available on Google Street View.

Checking Local Plans for Development Allocation

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of checking local plans to determine if nearby land has been allocated for specific types of development.

Understanding Local Plans

• Every council has a local plan that designates certain areas for different purposes, such as housing or commercial development.

• Checking the local plan helps users identify potential future developments near their target property.

Accessing Local Planning Maps

• Users can search for the local planning map of a specific council on Google by combining the council's name with keywords like "local plan" or "local planning map."

• The map allows users to focus on allocation areas and see which lands have been designated for building purposes.

Benefits of Checking Local Plans

• By reviewing local plans, users can anticipate major developments in the area before investing time and money in property viewing.

• It provides valuable information about future plans and developments that may impact the target property and its surroundings.

Researching Sold House Prices

The speaker suggests using websites like Rightmove or Zoopla to research sold house prices. They mention that Rightmove may be slightly more out of date, but it provides photos of old listings. Zoopla requires registration but offers the same information.

Using Rightmove and Zoopla for Sold House Prices

• Use Rightmove or Zoopla to research sold house prices.

• Rightmove provides photos of old listings, which can be helpful in understanding what has been sold in the past and what the current owners have done with the property.

• Zoopla also offers access to sold house price information, but registration is required.

• Researching sold house prices can provide insights into recent sales activity and help evaluate the property you are considering.

Land Registry Search

The speaker recommends conducting a land registry search for a small fee to obtain important documents such as the title register and title plan. These documents provide valuable information about the property, including ownership details, mortgages, and any restrictions.

Conducting a Land Registry Search

• Conduct a land registry search by entering the postcode on a website like Land Registry.

• Choose the specific address you are interested in.

• Purchase the title register and title plan documents for a small fee (e.g., £3 each).

• The title plan outlines the borders of the property and neighboring properties, providing clarity on what you are buying.

• The title register includes information about current ownership, existing mortgages, and any restrictive covenants.

• Performing a land registry search early on can provide crucial information before proceeding further in the buying process.

Checking Broadband and Mobile Coverage

The speaker emphasizes checking broadband and mobile coverage, especially in rural areas. They recommend using the Ofcom Checker to assess broadband availability and speed, as well as checking mobile coverage for different networks.

Checking Broadband and Mobile Coverage

• Use the Ofcom Checker to assess broadband availability and speed.

• Enter the postcode and check for super-fast broadband options.

• Super-fast broadband is recommended as a minimum requirement, while standard broadband may be slow and outdated.

• Rural areas often have questionable internet coverage, so it's crucial to consider this before making a decision.

• Check mobile coverage using the same tool, selecting different networks to evaluate voice and data coverage, including 5G capabilities.

• Ensure that broadband and mobile coverage meet your needs before finalizing a property purchase.

Considering Personal Preferences

The speaker highlights the importance of considering personal preferences when evaluating properties. Factors that may be deal-breakers for some individuals might not be significant concerns for others.

Considering Personal Preferences

• Recognize that personal preferences vary from person to person.

• What may be an issue for one individual may not be a problem for another.

• Take into account factors such as location, amenities, proximity to services, noise levels, etc., based on your own preferences and priorities.

• Consider what aspects are essential to you in order to make an informed decision about a property.

The transcript provided does not cover all sections of the video.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses how to find information about limited companies and neighbors using online resources.

Finding Limited Companies on a Road

• By putting the postcode in speech marks on a website, you can find limited companies on a specific road.

• Clicking on the maps will show the limited companies in that area.

• Reverse lookup of a company's name on companycheck.co.uk can provide information about the directors of the business, which may include the homeowner if it is a residential address.

New Section

The speaker explains how to perform a reverse lookup of a company and find out who submitted planning applications for properties.

Reverse Lookup of Company

• Visit companycheck.co.uk and enter the company name to find out who the directors are.

• This can help identify homeowners if they are listed as directors at residential addresses.

Finding Planning Application Details

• Look up planning application details by clicking on "application detail" or similar options.

• Access documents related to the case, such as application forms, to find out who submitted the application for a property.

New Section

The speaker suggests researching neighbors through social media and shares personal experience with finding unwanted neighbors.

Researching Neighbors

• Use social media platforms to gather information about potential neighbors.

• Consider whether you would be comfortable living next door to them based on your findings.

• Personal example: The speaker found out that their potential neighbor was a music teacher offering home lessons, which they did not want due to past experiences with noisy neighbors.

New Section

The speaker emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough checks before purchasing a property and recommends looking into planning application details.

Importance of Checks

• Conducting these checks may seem invasive, but it is crucial when making a significant investment.

• Personal example: The speaker conducted similar searches and found valuable information about potential neighbors.

Additional Research

• Use planning application details to gather more information about the property and its surroundings.

• Conduct your own research on the people involved in the planning applications to make an informed decision.

New Section

The speaker advises conducting multiple drive-bys and walk-bys at different times of the day to assess various aspects of the neighborhood.

Multiple Drive-Bys and Walk-Bys

• Park in the area and take slow walks around to observe traffic, barking dogs, parking availability, ongoing construction works, etc.

• Look for yellow signs on lamp posts indicating submitted planning applications.

• Conduct these checks at different times of the day to get a comprehensive understanding of the neighborhood.

New Section

The speaker concludes by summarizing all the recommended searches and encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and watch another video about housing market predictions.

Summary of Recommended Searches

• By following all these searches, you can ensure that there are no unexpected surprises with the property you are buying.

• Thoroughly researching potential neighbors, checking planning application details, and assessing the neighborhood through drive-bys and walk-bys are essential steps in making an informed decision.

Timestamps were not provided for some sections.