The search for a new home can be a very exciting experience and one which should be embraced with enthusiasm. However, when buying real estate, whether it’s a new build or a used property, there are many things that need to be considered.
Quite often, buyers let their heart rule their head and don’t think of all the practical issues that are of paramount importance – this could be a costly mistake. So, what exactly should you be looking out for?
Finding an agent
Take your time when looking for an agent. You need to ensure you are dealing with experienced individuals who have sound knowledge of the property market, the area and the properties themselves.
Don’t be afraid to ‘interview’ agencies before you engage in their services as, after all, they will be partly responsible for helping you buy your new home.
At Your Luxury Property, we pride ourselves in just that! Our team is experienced in this field and, when it comes to buying real estate within the Golden Triangle, we are not only equipped to give you the most up to date information and advice, but also to share our extensive knowledge of buying and selling property in general.
Take time to explore
On your way to the viewing and as you approach the immediate surrounding area, look out for conveniences. How close are the shops to the dwelling? If you are cooking and suddenly realise that you are missing a key ingredient, is this going to mean a long trek to the nearest store?
How good are the transport links? Easy access to major roads, can make a big difference – not only for convenience purposes for you and visitors but also to the property value. However, being too close to a main road or under a flight path can mean that being within easy reach of the airport or motorway is not as appealing as it may first seem.
If you have children, being close to a school with a good reputation is important. Careful research into its academic achievements is essential but, the feel of the building itself and the surrounding area must also be deliberated. However, if you do not have children and there is a school that is too close by, this may be something you find less desirable – especially during the school run.
The exterior
At this stage, you are checking if the building is structurally sound. Hairline cracks are normal and shouldn’t be of concern but, any big cracks on the exterior walls could be a sign that the building has structural issues. Pay particular attention to extensions as these can often bow away from the main building when there are hidden problems.
Whilst you are outside, take the time to look at the roof. In older properties, roof tiles may look quaint and add a lot of character, but this is not always a good thing. Roof tiles with moss can sometimes prevent rainwater from draining which results in the decomposition of the tiles themselves. Once they crack, water gets into the building causing damp issues. Replacing a roof can be quite expensive and inconvenient so it is better to err on the side of caution.
You should also look out for a roof that has a lower gradient as this also affects drainage. A flat or nearly flat roof should be well sealed and a quality membrane should be in place as this is better than the traditional asphalt and gravel.
Look at the windows. If they are double glazed, is there condensation between the panes? If so, these may be faulty. Wooden windows can offer a certain charm to the property but, do they have cracking paint? Can you push your finger into the wood with ease? These could be warning signs so proceed with caution.
The interior
Once you are inside the property, the next thing to look out for is damp. Look closely at the ceiling and skirtings for watermarks or flaking plaster.
Smells are important at this stage as they can give away a lot about a property. If there is a mouldy smell present, this is something that should be investigated. Also, don’t be fooled by a freshly painted room as this could simply be covering damp issues. If in doubt, arrange a second viewing at a different time of day as the change in atmospheric conditions can sometimes reveal these little gremlins. Although it is lovely to see a property on a lovely bright sunny day, don’t avoid visiting on a damp rainy day as this can actually be of benefit to you!
Of course, it is always best to engage the services of a chartered surveyor as their experience is invaluable when it comes to property purchase. They are trained to spot all the risks and should be able to talk through any concerns you may have following your own initial inspection.
Making the most of the sun
Another major factor to consider is which way the house is facing. This not only has energy efficiency implications but can also affect your comfort.
A property that is south facing will allow you to make the most of the gorgeous Algarvian sunshine throughout the day. The rooms will be a lot brighter giving them a greater sense of space and comfort.
If a house is north facing, it can be quite dark and cool which will result in a lot more energy being used into heating the rooms in the cooler months. However, you will also need to consider that in a south facing house, rooms with excessively large doors (e.g. bi-folding doors) can result in the room becoming too warm so you may want to consider visiting at a time of the day when the sun is out and spending some time in these rooms to see how they feel to you.
If you visit at night or on a cloudy day, it can be difficult to tell which way the house is facing. A simple solution is to install a compass app on your phone which you can then use on viewings.
Fit for purpose?
Once you are inside the property, one of the first things you should look at are the room sizes. If you have existing furniture, will it fit in the rooms? Be aware of clever staging as quite often, strategically placed mirrors and smart lighting can give the illusion of space. Really try to imagine yourself and your family in the space – not in a romantic way but more with its practicalities in mind.
In an age when we all have phones and gadgets for example, are there enough power points in the rooms to allow for all of these to be plugged in? Something as simple as this can be quite frustrating and you may end up with a plethora of extension leads plugged in around the house which can be unsafe and unsightly.
Is there enough storage for your vacuum cleaner, ironing board, etc? Quite often, new builds are a little short on storage space so bear this in mind.
Is there a loft? If so, how easy is it to access and is it insulated? A loft that has difficult access can be another source of frustration and poor insulation will have a knock-on effect on your heating bills. Could the loft be converted into an extra room? This could be a bonus not only because of the extra living space, but also in terms of property value.
Utilities
Don’t be afraid to check out the condition of the plumbing and electrics within the house. As you are walking through the rooms, run taps to check the water pressure (especially in the shower), switch on lights to check for faults and look out for outdated or suspect wiring. Take a quick look at the fuse board as this is often a good indicator as to the condition of the wiring in general.
Open sink cupboards to check the condition of the plumbing and if the pipes are lead – if so, they should be replaced. Look at the boiler and check that it is in good working condition. Although houses in the Algarve don’t tend to get too cold in the winter, heating is still necessary so it is worth asking about the heating system so you can mull over its efficiency.
Ask the agent for the energy certificate as this is a legal requirement and will give you valuable information as to how well the house is insulated for example. This is not only important for energy consumption purposes but also for noise reduction. If the sellers have background noise (e.g. a television or music playing), ask them to switch these off so that you can listen out if you can hear your neighbours in their homes. This will help you to ascertain if you will have privacy as well as a living space free from unwanted noise.
After the viewing
Once you have left the property, think about visiting at another time of day. Use this second viewing as an opportunity to ask the agent questions you have thought about since the previous viewing. Ensure that the house is free from any debts and most importantly of all, check that the house has a ‘licença de habitabilidade’ so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises with illegal outbuildings or pools.
Quite often, the agent will talk about other parties who are interested in buying the property and how popular a particular house has been. It is important not to allow yourself to be pressured into making a decision, to be comfortable with all of the information in the paperwork and to understand all of the clauses within contracts. Engage the services of a legal professional to help you with all of this and take your time with the purchase process.
Buying a house should be a fun experience and, if you take all the above into consideration, you will be in good stead for a stress-free purchase.
