Affordability, Availability & Suitability Make a checklist of your priorities including:

Location
	Price – check house prices with local agents and on the following sites: www.landregistry.gov.co.uk, www.upmystreet.co.uk, www.nethouseprices.co.uk
	Find out if there are any planned developments, such as new housing, (new housing developments probably a sign that the area is going in the right direction) speak to the local council.
	Communication networks, work out your commuter distance to work. Public transport links buses, trains, motorways.
	Accessibility – are you close to your family and friends
	What’s going on in the local community
	Amenities – shops, hospitals, leisure facilities
	Entertainment – New Bars, Pubs and Restaurants open all the time but they can be a good indicator of what an area is like. Are they fashionable? What kind of clientele do they attract? Might be a sign that the area is up and coming.
	Are their local nurseries and schools, how good are they? Are you in the catchments area?
	Are there many green spaces, parks and play areas.

Property
	Type of property house, flat, bungalow
	Number of bedrooms – If you are planning on staying is there room to grow?
	Off street parking? Is it easy to park?
	Garden size
	Is it need of repair, are you prepared to do it yourself or make provision in your budget to carry out the works?
	Location, Location, Location have a walk around the neighbourhood your thinking of settling in. Improvements can be made to a property but you can’t move the property.

Assessment Tips
	Ask the seller how long they have lived there and why they are moving?
	What are the neighbours like?
	Has there ever been a dispute between neighbours?

What is the property like on the outside?
Roof
	See any slates missing from the roof?
	What state is the chimney in?
	Does the roof sag?
	When was it last tiled?
Guttering
	Is there any guttering missing?
	Does the guttering have any mould on it?
Walls
	Are there any cracks visible?
	Can you see the damp course level above the soil?
Garden
	What features are included in the sale?
	Does the garden get sun? The best is south facing.
Windows
	Is the house double-glazed?
	What state are the windows in? Are they rotten or mouldy?

Inside?
Ask the Vendor what is included in the fixture and fittings. This is everything that if you were to shake the house upside down they would’t fall out. They may be interested in selling curtains and carpets in the sale.
Security
	Is the property alarmed?
	Are there window-locks fitted? (This can help to reduce the cost of insuring your home)
Heating
	How old is the boiler?
	When was it fitted is it still under warranty?
	What kind of boiler is it?
	Have there been any problems with the boiler and when did a CORGI engineer last service it?
	How is the water heated? Is it a combination boiler or is there a hot water tank?
	How long does it take for the hot water to come through?
	What is the water pressure like when you turn on the taps?
	Find out if the loft is fully insulated and to what thickness if possible. When inspecting the loft if you turn off the light you shouldn’t be able to see any daylight.
	Ask if the property has cavity wall insulation and when was it fitted? Is it still under warranty?
	These are all good indicators to how efficient the heating system is which will effect your bills. You may need to fit a new boiler, which is a consideration when negotiating the purchase price, as it can be very costly to replace and fit.
Rooms
	Can you smell damp anywhere in the house?
	Confirm with the seller which room features are included in the sale.
	Look for any major cracks in the walls or doors which stick, as both may be signs of subsidence.
	Feel the walls for dampness and check if the wallpaper or paint is discoloured or peeling.
	If the room has been recently decorated, consider what problems may lie underneath the new paint.
	If the frames have cracking paint, they may have been affected by damp (you can press your finger easily into rotten wood).
	Check the quantity of storage space for your needs.
	If the rooms are an unusual size or shape, consider if your existing furniture will fit.
	Look to see if there is a sufficient number of power points and whether they look safely wired.
	Don’t be put off by internal decoration. You can change this.
Kitchen/Bathroom
	Confirm with the seller which appliances and features are included in the sale.
	Turn the taps on fully to gauge the water pressure and see how long it takes for the hot water to come through.
	If there is an electric shower, find out when it was fitted and whether it includes a pump to boost water pressure.
	Consider if there is space or existing drainage to add extra appliances, such as a dishwasher.

We are authorised and regulated by the FSA (Financial Services Authority). Our FSA registration number is 448415.

WARNING: YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. There may be a fee for our service. This will be no more than 1.5% of the loan. The precise amount will depend on your circumstances but we estimate this will be £149.

Lifetime is a trading name of Lifetime Financial Management Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for advising on and arranging mortgages and insurance.

Lifetime Financial Management Ltd, registered in England and Wales, registered Number 3652194. Registered address: 1st Floor, City Gate, 17 Victoria Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3JJ. Director: Paul Merrigan.

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