As a first time buyer in Birmingham or someone looking to move home, the whole mortgage process can often seem daunting. It shouldn’t be like this; your mortgage journey can run smoothly with the correct preparation and help through the process.
Prepare yourself for your mortgage journey by exploring these nine crucial queries every first time buyer or person moving home should ask.
Most Common Questions When Buying a Home in Birmingham
1 – Has there been significant interest in the property or development?
The popularity of the property among potential buyers can serve as an indicator of how quickly you need to finalise your decision.
Be prompt and pre-emptive, especially when it comes to properties that are in high demand, to avoid a heartbreaking last-minute slip-up.
2 – Is the property part of a chain?
A “Property Chain” situation arises when the current occupant of the property you are considering cannot move out until they secure a new property, and so forth.
A long property chain could potentially delay your property acquisition, particularly when many people are waiting on one individual’s move to kickstart the process.
You’ll be in a stronger negotiating position if you don’t rely on selling your property first for the move. This advantage can be valuable during any negotiation rounds with the seller.
3 – Does the deal include any add-on items?
When you purchase used property in Birmingham, unlike a new-build, it’s fairly common for the previous owners to leave behind various appliances or furniture. However, if you do not want any of these things you will need to dispose of them yourself.
With new builds, you can customise your purchase to include extras such as appliances and furniture.
4 – What is the neighbourhood like?
When moving to an unfamiliar locality in Birmingham, it’s wise to enquire about the potential neighbours as they could significantly impact your living experience.
In case of new developments, you and your fellow residents will set the tone for the community.
5 – What are the running costs?
As every property has different operational costs, you must gather data on the Council Tax and average utility bills.
This research will help you grasp your budgeting necessities before committing to an offer.
6 – Which way is the property facing?
If you love being able to enjoy the summer sun in your back garden, the house’s direction could be a crucial deciding factor.
South-facing gardens will provide extra sun throughout the day, however their prices may be slightly higher.
7 – How much renovation is required after the move?
This aspect can wear into your financial plans. Hence, it’s essential to know how much work the property is going to need in the future.
8 – Is the seller open to negotiations?
Negotiating your property price is recommended during a home purchase, especially if you feel like the house is being listed for more than it’s worth.
Learning how to negotiate an offer on a property in Birmingham can help you through your current and future mortgage processes.
Contact us and speak with a trusted mortgage advisor in Birmingham, to learn of key negotiation skills and seller tactics.
Additionally, a conversation with the seller or their estate agent will shed light on the value range of accepted offers and provide insights into previous offer rejections.
9 – When can I move into the property in Birmingham?
Knowing the move-in date allows you to commence other tasks such as securing a solicitor, packing up your current residence, and organising a moving van.
Creating a checklist of these questions to ask when moving home in Birmingham could take some of the stress out of the buying process. Once you have all of your answers to these questions, you can confidently make an offer on a property.
If you need further mortgage advice in Birmingham, feel free to reach out to our team. Even if you have had an offer accepted, there is still time to get everything checked over by one of our mortgage advisors in Birmingham.
Date Last Edited: February 23, 2024
