Auctions & surveys

[navyeyelasH]

Ok so I'm in a bit of a catch 22 situation.

2 months ago a house we really liked went up for auction, with a very realistic guide of £240k. We couldn't afford £240k, so we didn't want to spend out for a full structural survey in the very slim chance the house went for below £210k. In the end the house went for £208k and we kicked ourselves!

Same situation has come up again, another house we like with a guide of £230k.

So do we spend £1000 on a survey when the possibility of this house going for £200-210k (in our budget) is slim? Are there any other alternatives?

I was thinking of asking a surveyor to come round and do an informal survey, just to check for major things - then if we get the house we would use them for the full structural survey. Is this just insanely cheeky?

We are first time buyers and have saved up to be able to afford the fees & deposits associated with buying a house so if we do the survey and don't get the house we will have to re-save the £1000k.

Any advice is really appreciated.

Given that the first house went for 208 vs guide 240 and the market is worse now, the new house could stay within your grasp

If you are prepared to bid on it then pay for the full survey

I don't think many surveyors would be prepared to do an "informal" survey as even telling a mate that his roof looks alright from the road could make them professionably liable if this turned out not to be the case. However, given that so few houses are selling at the moment, many surveyors are extremely short of cash so might be prepared to do a survey for a lower price. Unless the house is huge, £1000 sounds a bit much anyway.