1
Dec
‘Caveat emptor’ – buyer beware….
Mayfair Office are pleased to share this great piece from "guest
blogger" Zoe Napier of Zoe Napier Country and Equestrian in Maldon,
Essex.
Nick Churton of
Mayfair Office says "We love the way our members share their wealth
of knowledge and Zoe is a true expert on the rural market in her
area"
Zoe says
‘Caveat emptor’ – buyer beware…. or is
it more just a case of buyer be prudent?
Looking at
houses at their worst during the winter time and not at their best
during the summer can enlighten you to any pitfalls that not even a
survey can always pick up on and this helps ensure that you make
the right purchase, explains Zoe Napier, our property expert from
Zoe Napier Country & Equestrian.
Zoe always
maintains that if you like a house in the winter, then you will
just adore it in the summer. Why? Because the winter months
accentuate even the minor faults of a property – draughts can
whistle through tiny cracks, bright rooms can become dark and
dreary on dull days, the drive can resemble a muddy pool and show
up all the pot holes and if you are buying a property with acreage,
then when better to see how well drained (or otherwise) those
paddocks really are.
The trend for
buying property in the spring has altered over recent years, where
the first quarter of the year has become a more popular time for
buyers to commit to a purchase. This can often culminate over the
Christmas period where those with ‘itchy feet’ decide
that the New Year is the time to move and they often commence their
initial search over the internet and whilst with family over the
festive season. Couple this with those who will be receiving their
City bonuses in January with others who need to invest before the
end of the financial year ‘for good tax management’
means that the first quarter could be the best time to sell.
However buyers, particularly looking for equestrian property and
property with land have also wised up to the fact that the winter
months are the best months to view in order to determine whether
the property they are buying stands up to the winter
elements.
Winter is when
the buyer can ‘see’ for themselves whether the boiler
and heating system is running efficiently, whether the house is
warm, well insulated, whether there is condensation, any dampness
as a result and just how cosy your new home will be. Fires can be
seen operating; is the updraft of a fire efficient and does the
ambience create what you had hoped for?
Likewise on the
outside; winter is a time where all the leaves have fallen from the
trees providing you with the advantage of establishing just how
overlooked a property can be, or not. The paddocks and any manege
at this time of year also provide the evidence of any flooding,
boggy areas or badly drained land. This in itself is not
necessarily insurmountable but the winter months show a house at
its worst for a buyer by virtue of the fact that they can ascertain
any remedial works required.
But, if you liked
your new home enough to buy it in winter conditions, imagine just
how perfect it will be when the spring appears, foliage starts
growing back, land dries out and the grass starts growing to
provide lush paddocks. Many will be pleased with this advice
– so enjoy your Christmas and consider starting your search
during the winter months – It could well be the case of
‘the early bird catching the worm’..
Next month,
Zoe Napier will be taking a look at buying and selling land, adding
land and value to your property and any tips for required planning
in this respect.
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