1. Why are the owners selling and how long have they lived there?

This little bit of background information can help you with future negotiations. If the current owners are looking for a
quick sale, they may be open to a slightly lower offer. If they haven’t lived in the property for long, it may be a red flag
to look out for.

2. How long has the property been on the market?

Establishing a property’s desirability not only gives you a good idea of what to offer and how quickly you might need
to make an offer, it also gives you the chance to check if there is anything to look out for if the property has been on
the market for a while.

3. Is the property part of a chain?

Again, this may give you some bargaining power. If the owners have found their next home, they may be willing to
take a lower offer. If the chain is long, you need to decide if you can wait longer to move if necessary.

4. Which way does the property face?

Outdoor space is at a premium (particularly since the pandemic), so if you’re itching for a garden to relax in, you’ll
want to know if you’ll get the south facing garden you need for long warm days in the sun.

5. Have you recently extended or is there potential to do so?

Although we’d always recommend getting a full structural survey done, it’s always worth asking if the property has
been extended and why? If not, asking about the potential to extend gives you the opportunity to add value to the
house in future.

6. What can you tell me about the local area?

If the area is new to you, it’s worth getting a local perspective. Are there good local amenities? Is there anything
you should know about going on in the local area? What are the transport links like? How good are the schools?
What are the neighbours like? If there isn’t a driveway, what is parking like?

7. What is included in the sale?

You want to be absolutely sure what will be included in the sale - and what won't be - so that these items can
be included (or excluded) when it comes time to draft the contract. We're talking fixtures and fittings, white goods,
garden sheds and greenhouses, curtains, carpets, cookers and more. Knowing this will also help you plan ahead
of time so that you can move into your new home with everything you need to settle in quickly.