[Mrs Bear]

Tuffers, on Dec 6 2008, 07:27 PM, said:

For me it has to be well taken photos and a floor plan you can actually read. It still amazes me that EAs using Rightmove use such awful pictures and if they upload a floor plan at all it is often so small you can't even see the dimensions.

Yes, it's intensely irritating.

And if it's a leasehold flat, I want to know length of lease and how much the service/maintenance charges are.
Amazing how many EAs don't include such basic info, and don't even have a clue when you phone to ask.

I looked at a leasehold flat last year where the vendors own the FH of the whole building, so it'll be a new lease.
When I asked how long it'd be, EAs said vendors hadn't decided yet.
I pointed out that this was the sort of thing potential buyers need to know, not a minor detail.

A year later, that flat's still on the market (reduced a whole 1.5%) - and the EAs STILL haven't a clue how long the projected lease is going to be.

[MattW]

Mrs Bear, on Dec 6 2008, 10:29 PM, said:

And if it's a leasehold flat, I want to know length of lease and how much the service/maintenance charges are.
Amazing how many EAs don't include such basic info, and don't even have a clue when you phone to ask.

I looked at a leasehold flat last year where the vendors own the FH of the whole building, so it'll be a new lease.
When I asked how long it'd be, EAs said vendors hadn't decided yet.
I pointed out that this was the sort of thing potential buyers need to know, not a minor detail.

A year later, that flat's still on the market (reduced a whole 1.5%) - and the EAs STILL haven't a clue how long the projected lease is going to be.

Pretty much all EAs in my area never include leasehold info in their property specs although I think its part of the HIP requirements anyway to state length of lease and service charges.

[hausfrau]

MattW, on Dec 7 2008, 12:34 PM, said:

Pretty much all EAs in my area never include leasehold info in their property specs although I think its part of the HIP requirements anyway to state length of lease and service charges.

Round here it is always - to be confirmed! Very annoying.

[deeplyblue]

geoffk, on Dec 1 2008, 07:42 PM, said:

"the price is probably not the first criteria that is considered" ........you are a fool

Price is NOT the first thing considered. The old adage "location ..." remains true. Take a look at RM, what's the first search term you look for? Just the other day saw a property I really fancied return to the market, and at a really good price. Mentioned it to OH, "If you think I'm going to live THERE, you've got another think coming." Fortunately I didn't need another think, since I'd worked out that the location ruled it out altogether. It's not just whether the area seems "nice" or not - there's distance from work, schools, shops, family etc and proximity to a motorway, an airport, a late-opening Chinese or local nightlife.

Then there's size - who buys a cheap house which only has two bedrooms when you have four children? And all the other things which mean people rule properties out before they look hard at the price. Fr'instance I won't go anywhere without a respectable broadband connection, some people rule out anywhere without a good sized garden, and for others being able to get a wheelchair to the front door is essential.

Particularly these days, price is so much negotiable that other factors become more important.

db

[HomeDrone]

I agree with the majority of the posters in this topic. Whilst the "Pricing Description" will undoubtedly play a role, I think far more important is the standard of the brochure/advert. Poor quality photos are an immediate put off and really the whole industry is based around a generic formula for advertising descriptions. "We are pleased to welcome to the market this immaculately presented bla bla bla..." Look familiar?

Especially during the current reality adjustment marketers need to really put thought into these things so their own efforts are not lost amongst the plethora of dross out there.

[dface]

As an investor price never really bothers me, It really all depends on the owner.

If i get the heads up from the gaent saying " well he's in financial difficulty and there is a deal to be done, well im interested" or if i see the property on the market for more than 6 weeks and then getting desperate with having every agent in london advertising it.
And like now its a great time for investors, why are people selling, people are worried, like they say be fearful when the market is greedy and be greedy when the market is fearful

imo if your not financially in trouble done be worried, you missed the boat but dont get me wrong another boat will be round but when no one knows.. but next time dont be greedy, if you want to make a tidy profit, make it but dont milk it cos like last time you missed it and it could happen again

words of wisdom from a 16yr old drop out from london

[Dubai Property]

When we are looking for new homes the price is probably not the first criteria that is considered.

I disagree. It is the first point of refernce to go to the next.

[The Conveyancer]

hausfrau, on Dec 7 2008, 01:00 PM, said:

Round here it is always - to be confirmed! Very annoying.

You should in theory provide Replies to Managing Agents Enquiries in the Home Information Pack. In practice these replies can cost your client up to £400 plus VAT and only last three months. Therefore you dont tend to obtain the replies under your have a buyer.

Re: the length of the Lease - If you look at the Office Copies of the Title (that are always in the HIP if the property is registered) they will give you the outline details of the Lease. You should have a copy of the Lease in the HIP as well.

[The Conveyancer]

I look for price and location. A garage is a must and a big garden would be a bonus, a concreted garden with a pond always goes straight in the no pile. Central heating rather than storage heating is another must.

In particulars I look for photos, room sizes (in imperial!!!!) and a floorplan is a necessity. I need to know how the house would flow with my kids. Also a power shower is also a big tick.

I also avoid any with a "price range", this just means that the seller thinks their house is worth alot more than it is and I am looking for big discounts (well I will in 2010 anyway)

[Mrs Bear]

The Conveyancer, on Dec 11 2008, 12:01 PM, said:

You should in theory provide Replies to Managing Agents Enquiries in the Home Information Pack. In practice these replies can cost your client up to £400 plus VAT and only last three months. Therefore you dont tend to obtain the replies under your have a buyer.

Re: the length of the Lease - If you look at the Office Copies of the Title (that are always in the HIP if the property is registered) they will give you the outline details of the Lease. You should have a copy of the Lease in the HIP as well.

Ok, but this is the sort of thing you want to know before you even go to view.

I only know of one EA (an independent) that invariably gives exact length of lease, current maintenance/service charges, and council tax band.
This EA also gives the full postal address, so you can check it on nethouseprices

Their blurbs are highly literate, too.
They're not too good at getting their vendors to drop prices, but one can't have everything.

[The Conveyancer]

Mrs Bear, on Dec 11 2008, 06:05 PM, said:

Ok, but this is the sort of thing you want to know before you even go to view.

I only know of one EA (an independent) that invariably gives exact length of lease, current maintenance/service charges, and council tax band.
This EA also gives the full postal address, so you can check it on nethouseprices

Their blurbs are highly literate, too.
They're not too good at getting their vendors to drop prices, but one can't have everything.

To be honest not many people do want this information before they view. You are obviously more informed than most buyers. Most buyers find a flat they like and leave the solicitor to find out all the details. I see where you are coming from because the amount you are willing to pay for a flat must be based on how much the service charge is per month, so you can add the mortgage to the service charge figure to see what your monthly payments are. Most clients are thick though and most flat buyers (not all by any means) are young and quite often dont even know what service charge is.

[eastleighfan]

Personally ,I detest the "offers in excess of " bit . I would rather the vendor just put the asking price and have done with it .
Floor plans are usefull ,but why do so many houses on "Rightmove" not have a picture of the garden on it ? The main selling point with me is the garden . If it's small , then I won't buy . End of story . I imagine some EA's believ that I (and those like me) will be so taken with the house ,that I will forget about the garden . Not so !!
So ,if you wanted me to go and view , enclose a pic of the garden ,and ,aproximate size .
Sorry to rant ,but it really gets up my nose !

Ok
Rant over

[The Conveyancer]

eastleighfan, on Dec 13 2008, 10:54 AM, said:

Personally ,I detest the "offers in excess of " bit . I would rather the vendor just put the asking price and have done with it .
Floor plans are usefull ,but why do so many houses on "Rightmove" not have a picture of the garden on it ? The main selling point with me is the garden . If it's small , then I won't buy . End of story . I imagine some EA's believ that I (and those like me) will be so taken with the house ,that I will forget about the garden . Not so !!
So ,if you wanted me to go and view , enclose a pic of the garden ,and ,aproximate size .
Sorry to rant ,but it really gets up my nose !

Ok
Rant over

I agree, about the garden, I am sure they used to put the measurements of the garden on the particulars. I hate it when they just say "Gardens". I also look for a large garden and would not visit a house with a garden that is all concrete.

[Niche]

Your main problem still remains the fact that most buyers will expect to have some of the cost reduced i.e negotiation. So if you go less than the value of the house then you are probably going to get even less than your asking price

[Ferienwohnung oder Apparte]

What makes me view a property/the things I consider before buying a property:

Location - if the neighborhood is safe. If it is located in the area I want to live in.

Price- if I can afford it or if it is in my preferred price-range.

Design - if I like the design and the interiors of the house.