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WILTSHIRE LIFE - March
2003
 Buying
or Selling ?
Before
starting to write this article
I had just spoken to a surveyor
on behalf of a client for
whom I have agreed to purchase
a property in Hampshire. It
struck me whilst talking with
him how much better it is
to instruct people with whom
you can have a rapport, in
any walks of life. I have
arranged, as tends to be my
custom if possible, for my
client to meet the surveyor
after he has finished looking
at the property. He can go
through any points with him
and I, there and then. I prefer
to do this rather than wait
for the completed written
report to arrive on his doorstep.
These are often full of terms
that are not easily understood
and which then culminates
in “frightening the life”
out of the client. I learnt
many years ago when an estate
agent that some surveyors
will write reams, confusing
the buyer and before you realised
what was happening the sale
was off and any attempt to
resolve the situation was
thwarted. By meeting the surveyor
it is possible to discuss
any problems, allowing the
would be purchaser to understand
the full implications. One
can often also acquaint the
owner then, which is equally
as important as settling you
own peace of mind.
I also think it is advisable
to use a local solicitor who
knows the “quirks”
of the area; he is also there
to deal with any matters that
need urgent action. It is
beneficial to be able to go
to see the solicitor on the
spot and if necessary he can
also visit the property with
you. He is also on hand after
you have moved in, should
you at some time need further
advice. Naturally the same
solicitor should be used for
your sale and purchase. If
you are thinking of selling
tell the solicitor early on
so that he can obtain the
deeds from your mortgagees.
You will be surprised how
long this can take and I have
known several occasions where
the mortgagees have appeared
to have lost the deeds, delaying
the matter even further.
It is a lovely sunny day in
the second week of January
as I write this article and
if you are thinking of selling
your property this year, now
is the time to talk with the
agents. Firstly they are not
so busy as they will expect
and hope to be in the spring
and they will have more time
to sit down and talk the whole
matter through with you. Often
they will suggest that there
are a few things that you
should do to the property
to assist its saleability,
which you can arrange now,
rather than leave it to the
last minute. Sometimes they
may be able to find a purchaser,
quietly, which can save you
a lot of hassle and also put
you in a strong position to
bid for another house, particularly
if your buyer is relaxed about
completion dates. The more
time the agent has the better
chance he has of organising
some good photographs. I have
heard vendors so often grumble
about the photographs on their
particulars of sale. If they
were fair they would admit
that they wanted the house
marketed yesterday and that
the sun hadn’t shone
for two weeks and when it
did it was right down the
camera lens.
If you come from any distance,
then talk with another local
agent or someone like myself,
we are often able to advise
on local affairs and may even
know the property itself.
Local knowledge of any kind
can be useful and a little
homework can lead to finding
other professional people
who may be available to help
you, in a friendly and efficient
way.
Written by Michael Chandler
FRICS.
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