What questions do you ask EA/owner at a viewing?

[HarryHenderson]

Just that really! How many and what questions do you ask?
Do you ask why the current owners are moving etc?

I asked and was asked:
Why moving?
What are neighbours like?
What's the council tax?
What's the neighbourhood like?

If I think of any more I'll come back!

Thanks @Ginger1982 I've realised I've not been asking many questions about the properties I've been viewing, then I go home and start wondering about things. I know I could always have a second viewing or phone the EA but I haven't fell in love with any house enough to do that yet

Maybe jot down a few questions before you go to a viewing so that you don't forget?

we didnt ask many questions as most of the houses we looked at were empty so estate sales, the one that was occupied had fell through sales twice so we asked why didnt go for that one anyway the house we are buying there is mildew in the front bedroom and i did ask the EA why, its because the house has been empty for a few months with no heating on and windows closed, survey confirmed no damp just condensation damage, which is fine as we will be redecorating any way

I'm house hunting and, at the risk of sounding like a complete nightmare, my list is pretty extensive - however, I've yet to find a property which I like enough to consider making an offer - at which point ALL the following would be asked; (and it's then debatable how honest or forthcoming any vendor is going to be, which is why a full structural survey would also be undertaken)

Recent maintenance work carried out and why (is it to rectify a repeated or ongoing issue, for example)?

How old is the boiler and central heating system as a whole?

Has the property been re-wired / what kind of condition are the electrics in?

Is the roof sound? (I'm currently looking at a property with three large sections of flat roof and this would be a major consideration)

Is the water pressure good/bad/indifferent? And is it a hard water area?

Rough estimate of annual gas and elec costs

Any issues with damp, water ingress, woodworm, condensation, moisture etc and any works undertaken to remedy?

Any issues with neighbours? (it'd be unusual to find a vendor who'd had serious issues and was honest about them, but I think there's a legal aspects to non-disclosure on this point)??

Rights of way for neighbours or general public across any part of the land the house stands on?

Is the loft insulated?

I'm sure I can think of a few more!

I'm in Scotland so sellers have to provide a home report which usually answers a lot of questions.

At a viewing with an EA (who probably knows very little about the house) I would ask

Who are the sellers
Why moving
Have they found somewhere/how quickly do they want to move

Questions about the condition of the property, any neighbour disputes, previous building work etc are best left to the solicitor stage as any answers are only binding if included in the legal documents.

Tabitha as a vendor I would not be able or willing to answer much of your list as it’s too subjective. Factual questions like “have you had a problem with woodworm” - fine. “What condition are the electrics in” - too subjective. Even questions like “is the loft insulated” are subjective, eg our loft when we bought the house was technically insulated but only in patches and very thinly. You really need a good independent surveyor for this kind of information. Good luck with your search!

Lots of the above plus whether there are any service charges or management company fees (and what these cover)

I agree with Tabitha005, a good list of questions, although some of those points would need a survey to answer. If you are serious about a property, always turn on taps to check water pressure. We had to get a new water connection due to shockingly poor pressure (whole terrace on one very old water pipe).

I wouldn't expect any vendor to be able or willing to answer all my nosey questions, and I'll definitely be having an in-depth survey done.

I've also taken my Dad on a couple of viewings as he's in the building/property trade and can pick up on things I might miss.

Ultimately, I think it's also important to go with your gut on buying a property - and in the past I've bought a house I absolutely fell in love with, even though it had a few issues.

Any questions you ask about the neighbours, neighbour hood etc I would take the answers with a pinch of salt. We were desperate to move as the area was awful, we didnt know our neighbours and tbh I didnt want to know them....but of course when asked we gave very generic, non specific answers.

A new one for us - we looked at a house approx 10 years old and was told that the streets hadnt been adopted by the council so we would have to pay council tax and a monthly management fee.....so check leasehold / council tax etc.