Property discussion

If you are thinking about buying a house without a survey because you think house surveys are a waste of money, think again as a small investment in a house survey can save thousands in unexpected costs. Most homebuyers opt for paying for a survey to uncover hidden costs vs buying blind.

It’s usually the buyer who organises a survey when buying a house in England and Wales, but in Scotland it’s the seller who organises it. However, if you are borrowing on a mortgage your lender will insist on a valuation survey that will check the property is structurally sound and free from damp.

If you’ve just bought a house and everything is going wrong it may be a case of “Caveat Emptor” or “Buyer Beware”. It’s likely to be simply a part of owning your own house. But you may have recourse to the surveyor or the vendor depending on what’s gone wrong and what survey, if any, you had.

How to make an offer on a house below asking price is about doing your research and being in a strong position to be able to move quickly.

If you’re buying your first house and freaking out, don’t worry as this is quite normal like with anything you do for the first time. Buying your first house is a big commitment and responsibility, but do your due diligence and make sure you can afford the ongoing costs and you’ll be just fine.