House viewing tips!

[SquishTheWhale]

Hmm so just had a call from the agent moving the viewing to tomorrow and to say that there IS a service charge on the property, but they don't know how much. A small amount is do able but we can't afford hundreds extra a month!

Well even if it's not this house, these viewing tips are still so useful. Going to try and schedule some more viewings later this week.

[snowbelle]

No matter how friendly the vendors are and how nice they seem , do not swap phone numbers !

Some people do and I made that mistake and it turned into a living nightmare.

[Bridget]

Always go back to the house at different times of day/evening and at a weekend - see what it is like, what's the parking like, neighbours etc. OMG neighbours especially... I've had some hellish ones (like a few others on the Dibb!) x

[Twin mummy]

I’d also be worried about 1 parking space, especially if it’s likely to be your “forever” house. We only had 1 car for years but as the children got older we now have 2.

As for school catchment, again if it’s a “forever” house have a look at secondaries.

We moved here before we even thought about children. Knew there were a number of ok primaries but that the catchment secondary was the worst in the city. However there was a well regarded church secondary. I know things can and do change but trust me it was bad! We made sure we had options and my Twins have just finished at the well regarded church school. If we hadn’t had that option we wouldn’t have bought this house.

[djewkes]

As others have said a service charge can and will go up in years to come, these charges have been having a lot of bad press lately... I wouldn’t go there, but it’s up to you of course...

[SquishTheWhale]

Yeah the service charge thing is really putting me off. We can't afford hundreds extra a month.

We've arranged some more viewings for Friday and Saturday- it will be a house intensive weekend!

On a side note, what is it with all these houses that have 're-fitted shower rooms'?! Um no, this girl needs a bath!

[vampiress88]

Originally Posted by SquishTheWhale

Yeah the service charge thing is really putting me off. We can't afford hundreds extra a month.

We've arranged some more viewings for Friday and Saturday- it will be a house intensive weekend!

On a side note, what is it with all these houses that have 're-fitted shower rooms'?! Um no, this girl needs a bath!

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Bath is easier to wash baby than shower definitely

[mushumadness]

We live on a new build estate and have done so for four years
The annual
Service charge is £140 per household and can be spread
Over the year
If that helps to
Know coatings this is an estate of around 50 houses that have the fee to pay

[Lizzim]

Originally Posted by SquishTheWhale

On a side note, what is it with all these houses that have 're-fitted shower rooms'?! Um no, this girl needs a bath!

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I’ve just taken our bath out and had a full shower put in its place. I don’t plan on moving anytime soon and wanted the house to suit us, maybe others have done the same?

[floridasgirl]

Originally Posted by Lizzim

I’ve just taken our bath out and had a full shower put in its place. I don’t plan on moving anytime soon and wanted the house to suit us, maybe others have done the same?

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That's fine for you but they are selling theirs?! I agree with the op, I wouldn't buy a house with no bath and it's a big job to get one put back in. I've always heard on house renovation/selling tv shows they don't recommend removing baths. Families with young children would usually want a bath.