What questions should I ask before making an offer on a property?

Words by Jennifer Harrison , Content Lead

This article first appeared on our blog

Buying a home is one of the most significant investments you'll make, and asking the right questions upfront can save you from costly surprises down the line. Before you make an offer, getting clear answers from the estate agent or the seller can help you be certain that the property aligns with your needs. Legally, estate agents are required to tell the truth when disclosing material information about properties. From understanding the home’s history to uncovering hidden costs, here are some questions we recommend you ask the estate agent to help you make a confident, informed decision.

There are several questions that might help you decide how much to offer, including:

How long has the owner lived there, and why are they selling?

If the owner has lived in the property for a long time, that’s generally a positive indicator, but if they’ve only lived there for a few years, it might be worth asking why they’re looking to sell. They might just want to upsize or downsize, but wanting to move quickly could suggest problems, such as disruptive neighbours. Additionally, knowing your seller’s circumstances can help you with your negotiations. For example, if the seller is moving because they need to relocate for work, they might be open to a lower offer if the sale can be done quickly.

How long has the property been on the market?

It’s important to find out why the property isn’t selling if it’s been on the market for some time. It could be that there isn’t much support available for homebuyers right now, or that the home is overpriced, but there is the possibility that something is wrong with the property that you’ve not seen. You should ask the estate agent whether there have been any previous offers made and, if so, why those buyers didn’t complete. You can also ask the estate agent if any poor surveys have been returned on the home. Regardless of whether any issues with the home exist, if it’s been on the market a while, the seller might accept a lower price.

Is the seller part of a chain?

Onward chains are very common, so this shouldn’t deter you from buying the property, but knowing about your seller’s chain can prepare you for how long the process might take. If your seller is purchasing a new home, but the owner of that property hasn’t yet found their next home, you should be aware that could take some time.

Is there a minimum price the seller will accept?

This might sound silly, but asking this question can save you a lot of unnecessary back and forth with the estate agent or seller, trying to work out their bottom line. Estate agents do not make a commission if there is no sale, so they’ll often be able to give you an indication of how low a seller might be willing to go, even if they can’t give you an exact figure.

Have there been any other offers made?

It’s likely that the estate agent will tell you if there have been any other offers on the property, but they won’t usually tell you how much has been offered. If they do tell you, then naturally it’s easier to decide what you will need to offer, but if not, you’ll have to carefully consider how much you believe the property is worth.

What is included in the sale?

Typically, fixtures - items that are permanently attached to the property, such as radiators, ovens, built-in wardrobes - are usually included in the sale. But fittings - items that are freestanding or attached by hook or nail, such as freestanding fridges, curtains, microwaves - will be taken by the seller unless agreed otherwise. None of these things may be a deal-breaker for you, but it’s worth checking exactly what you can expect to stay when you purchase the property. For example, is the garden shed included?

Have any major works been done to the property?

If any major renovations have been carried out, you’ll want to ensure the owners have the relevant planning permission, or this could lead to delays and issues further down the line. Once you decide to go ahead with the purchase, a building survey and your conveyancer should be able to check that the appropriate permissions exist.

How much is council tax and utility bills?

Buying a new home is expensive, so you might want to find out what sort of monthly costs you can expect once you start living there.

What is the water pressure like?

While this might seem silly, you can ask to check the taps and flush the toilets when you view a property. If water doesn’t flow around the property as well as you’d like, this could be something tricky to fix once you move in.

Is there a good broadband signal in the home?

Certain areas are restricted when it comes to broadband providers, and with so many people working from home nowadays, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to what’s available at your new property. As well as asking your estate agent, you can also check the speeds via Ofcom.

How energy efficient is the home?

As well as looking at the Energy Performance Certificate, you can ask the estate agent questions such as whether there is double glazing or loft insulation and how long ago they were installed. If the EPC rating isn’t where you’d like it to be, it’s worth looking at the steps you can take to improve it and considering how costly that might be.

Are there any local plans that might impact the property?

Any plans for local developments should be flagged by your conveyancer when they carry out their searches, but asking your estate agent about this sort of thing can mean you find out a bit sooner. For example, if the property has lovely views of fields, but these fields are going to be developed into a housing estate, you might want to know before you get your heart set on it.

Is the property freehold or leasehold?

This will likely be stated in the property listing, but it’s a very important factor to consider. Freehold means you own the building and the land it is on. However, if you’re viewing a flat, it is likely to be leasehold, meaning your ownership of the flat is subject to the terms of a lease. Be sure to ask what service charges will apply and how long the lease will last.

Remember that while estate agents cannot withhold information, they may not have the correct answers to every single one of your questions. This means carrying out your own research of the local area, having a good conveyancer, and getting a house survey carried out is essential.

The questions you’ll need to ask will vary from one property to the next, and many of them are not listed here. Your broker, your solicitor, and the estate agent will all want the property purchase to go through without any issues, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions if you’re unsure at any stage, as they’ll all be happy to help.