Buying a home is a major financial commitment, and one you should make in full possession of all the necessary information about the property in question. Brian Gale Surveyors offer a range of independent RICS property surveys, including the RICS Condition Report and the RICS HomeBuyer Report, to help you understand the building and any issues therewith, and inform this important purchase decision.
The RICS HomeBuyer Survey and Report is a mid-level survey that is suitable for the majority of residential properties in the UK. This includes houses, bungalows and flats that are in apparent reasonable condition and of conventional build and type.
The HomeBuyer Report will not give details of every single aspect of the building, but it will highlight urgent matters that need immediate attention and those that have a significant impact on the value of the property. This includes all major visible sections of the property.
What does the HomeBuyer Report contain?
This intermediate property contains the following details:
- Background information on the property and its location
- An estimate of re-building costs for insurance purposes
- Current market valuation (optional)
- Assessment of damp proofing, draining and insulation. Drains are not tested.
- Condition of the building’s timbers and checking for woodworm and wood rot
- Damp meter readings taken from the wall
- Details of any urgent building problems that should be investigated further
- Details of any major property faults that may affect its value
One of the benefits of the RICS HomeBuyer Survey is that it is written in plain English, not technical jargon, making it more accessible to the layman. To further aid understanding, the Report uses a standardised ‘traffic light system’ of condition ratings to describe the property’s condition and any advice for urgent repairs:
Condition Rating 1 (Green): No repair is currently needed
Condition Rating 2 (Amber): Defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered to be serious or urgent
Condition Rating 3 (Red): Defects that are serious and/or need repairing, replacing or investigating urgently
What are the benefits of a RICS HomeBuyer Report?
When it comes to purchasing a property, having the peace of mind that everything is in good working order, or at least knowing the extent of any existing problems, can make a world of difference. While a HomeBuyer Survey may seem like another expense that one could do without, its benefits are undeniable:
- You will have the peace of mind of knowing what you are letting yourself in for with the property – good or bad.
- This knowledge will enable you to accurately budget for any building repairs that you now know will need to happen.
- You may be able to get the vendor to agree that any urgent repairs must be completed before contracts are exchanged.
- You can use the survey results as a legitimate and often very effective tool to renegotiate the purchase price with the vendor.
- You may wish to withdraw from the purchase altogether.
———————————————————————————————————————————————
“Thank you for the comprehensive survey report which we have found very helpful with our proposed purchase!” – S & D Watkinson ★★★★★
———————————————————————————————————————————————
Why choose Brian Gale Surveyors?
Operating across London and the southern Home Counties, we have 25+ years’ experience of producing a range of high quality surveys and valuations alongside other specialist property services, and we have developed an excellent reputation for customer care.
With our RICS accredited surveyors by your side, you can be confident of receiving all the necessary information and professional advice you need to help you make the right decision. If you wish to discuss a particular property with us, or arrange for a RICS HomeBuyer Survey anywhere in South East England, please get in touch.
For a fast, free quotation for a RICS HomeBuyer Survey in Surrey, Sussex, Kent or London, simply complete and submit the form below.
