How to Negotiate a House Price Down After a Survey
This post covers everything you need to know about how to negotiate a house price down after a survey. Even if you’ve already agreed on a price, homebuyers can renegotiate as a house purchase is Subject to Contract (which can change at any time). So, after a surveyor has completed a survey, you may find... Read More →
What to Look Out For if You’re Buying an Old House
Whether you’re a fan of traditional architecture and design or you want to buy a fixer-upper to put it back on the market, old homes bring numerous challenges that you should be aware of. Not only can specific problems cost you a fortune to fix, but they can also endanger your health and safety. Therefore,... Read More →
Pitched Roof: Types & Common Defects
Pitched roofs are the most common types of roofs found on buildings. They are most often used because they effectively shed water, whereas the other type of roofs, such as a flat roof, aren’t. A pitched roof is most likely to be found on the main buildings on most domestic properties. Types of Pitched Roofs... Read More →
RICS Building Survey: Why It’s Essential for Home Buyers
Most of the time, mortgage lenders will request a Building Survey report for insurance purposes; this is mainly to ascertain significant defects that would not be covered in their insurance policy for the property. Moving into a new home can be an extremely stressful period in a person’s life. With current values in the property market, it... Read More →
What’s a Homebuyer’s Report?
An RICS HomeBuyer Report, or a homebuyer’s report, is a survey recommended for homebuyers in the UK. In March 2010, it replaced the Home Buyer Survey and Valuation. Why Do I Need A Homebuyer’s Report? A homebuyer’s report helps home buyers make an informed decision regarding their house search. The report will identify potential structural... Read More →
Which Building Survey Do I Need?
A house survey is a professional inspection of a property’s condition and identifies any potential buyer issues. It’s completed by a surveyor who visits the property, carries out an assessment, and prepares a report outlining any problems they’ve found. It’s an excellent way to avoid unexpected repair costs. Getting a survey for a house or... Read More →
What Causes Moisture in Buildings?
One of the most common causes of moisture in buildings is penetrating dampness. It includes any damp which has penetrated the building; however, it also provides plumbing leaks. On one of our building surveys in Kingston, we saw the causes of penetrating dampness from a cavity wall (generally post the 1920s). Penetrating damp from outside... Read More →
What is a EPC and MEES?
What are Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)? An EPC is a certificate that rates how energy efficient a house or building is. By law, all sold, rented, or leased facilities must have an EPC, which will last for 10 years before it has to be renewed. It will tell you roughly how expensive property will be... Read More →
Common Flat Roofs Construction Types & Issues
We often see flat roofs at our UK Kingston surveyors’ office, so we’ve written up a piece all about flat roofs and their construction. Flat roofs are often found on extensions and outbuildings; however, they can sometimes be found on flats and commercial buildings. In general, they tend to be less effective than pitch roofs... Read More →
How to Increase Your Property Value with Landscaping
When planning to sell, one should consider investing in home improvements because it will significantly increase property value. Since not every upgrade will pay off, it is best to try out improving curb appeal methods. A sure way to create a positive and memorable first impression on potential buyers is through landscaping. So, a neat... Read More →