Can you ask more questions before offer?

[Dreamegg]

We've seen a house we really like but the EA couldn't answer hardly any of our basic questions about the property at the viewing - she was covering another EA who was off sick apparently, and didn't know anything about this particular house.

We'd like to ask a few more questions about the property and get some answers before making an offer, is that normal and expected?

No. If you ask more questions Right Move send a hit squad round

Yes it’s normal

Totally acceptable - the only poss downside is if it's likely to be snapped up by someone else in the meantime. However more fool them if they're agreeing to buy without knowing basic info about the property.

Yes, this is absolutely fine and normal to do. You could call or email with questions, but personally I’d call as EAs seem to vary in how quickly they get to emails. I’d mention that you really like the house and are thinking of making an offer. No obligation to actually do so!

It sounds like you might be first time buyers? Houses are most likely the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. It’s not only fine, but important to ask questions about things you want to know.

Thanks @starrystarryskies. We're not FTBs, DP owns a flat that was new when he bought it and all the usual info was readily available. We're looking at buying a 1930s semi so just wanted to know a bit more about the boiler, heating, etc as well as the energy rating. It's currently lower end of D but could be B apparently and wondering whether it needs insulating. The back fence is a mess as well and we want to know who it belongs to. I also want to know about the state and maintenance of the roof and loft.

Also the neighbour on the adjoining side seems to be an older man (he was overtly watching at us from both the front and back bedroom windows of his house while we were looking at the outside) who has grown super tall hedges in the front garden for privacy I think, and put up a really tall slightly imposing fence out the back, and I'm wondering if he's a bit hostile 😂

Hmm. So in my view some of those aren’t actually questions for the EA.

Insulation: if the EPC is quite old and recommends insulation, you could ask if they’ve done that. But if it’s been done recently I’d assume they haven’t.

Back fence: highly likely to belong to the property. EAs and sellers can get this wrong (the sellers of our current house put the wrong fences on the property information form) so you’ll only know for sure when you see the proper plans from the Land Registry. You could buy these yourself for a few quid, but you’ll have to pay for your solicitor to get them again. I’d assume it belongs to the property and proceed accordingly.

Neighbour: honestly, nobody in their right mind is going to tell you anything negative about the neighbours that they aren’t legally obliged to disclose. There’s probably no point asking.

I agree with both of @starrystarryskies posts.

You won’t get an honest answer about the neighbour.

😂

Neighbour could just be a nosy neighbourhood watch vigilant type of person rather than a PITA. Some of the questions would come out in a survey like the insulation etc. I don't think you'd be wrong in asking first.

Neighbour - you won’t get an answer about.

boundaries you can ask but are unlikely to get an answer in our experience. Just pay £15 for the full land registry details and it will be on there.

epc Findings can be looked up on line. We’ve found that they are often incorrect based on just comparing the report to what’s actually in the property on viewing. So would suggest you ask.

depending on the estate agent you may get an answer or they may just try to placate you with meaningless waffle.

( caveat: can you tell I’m house hunting with a passion and currently am very fed up. ? )

I agree with everyone saying you probably won’t get an honest reply about the neighbour if he’s a problem. You also cannot take their word for the state of the roof & loft. The EA won’t know and it’s possible even the sellers don’t know in which case they will assume no problems. I would get a full structural survey if you are concerned about a few things in the house but even these will be heavily caveated so sometimes you have to take a bit of a gamble with the condition of a property.

Agree with PP that you're unlikely to get answers from the EA about these, not honest ones anyway.

EPC- you can look this up yourself online, this will tell you what is suggested to improve the rating https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

Boundary- again I'd look this up online myself and download the plans for £3 from the land registry https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

Boiler- depending on what you want to know this will either be answered with doc provided by the seller during the conveyancing process, or you'll pay and get your own service done during conveyancing.

Roof and loft- this would be on you to get a survey on.

Neighbours- no way will the agent tell you anything about them. Why would they?! Either they dont know anything, or if they do know the neighbour is a nightmare they won't venture this information. The sellers will be asked during the conveyancing process about any disputes with neighbours- although bear in mind there are only certain scenarios in which they are legally bound to disclose, eg if police have been involved. If the neighbour is just a bit hostile I'd say there's no way you'd know that for sure until you moved in.

Yes ask and do a second viewing. I would be tempted to knock on the neighbours house, introduce myself and ask him what it's like to live on the street, what the neighbours are like etc. You can judge for yourself then.

The bit about insulation you should be able to see in the EPC anyway - it will contain the reasoning behind the score and what it suggests doing to get it up to a B