Final checks before buying a property

I feel that some points are worth expanding on: I have this mental picture of someone taking YOU for a ride and me, too late, wishing that I had warned you, or elaborated
on something...

Here are a few thoughts that flitted through my mind about the final checks that you should be making before you sign your contract and commit yourself irrevocably.

Don't lose sight of the fact that you purchase the property accepting the condition that it is in on completion or on the date you sign your contract. Make sure that you are aware of anything that might have changed between the signing of the preliminary contract and completion or the final contract. If you are not in the country, get someone you REALLY trust to check this out for you.

It is important to check that nothing has been damaged in any way, for example by storms, earthquakes, vandals or the previous owner. If you have a lawyer or are buying through
an estate agent they should accompany you on this visit.

Also, do a final inventory check to make sure that you have everything that was included in the price. Do check that the appliances have not been substituted for cheaper models, that any fixtures and fittings such as light fittings and curtains purchased are still in place and that the garden is in the same state as when you first viewed it. One of my friends was startled to find that, when she moved in, all plats in the garden had been removed!

If you find that anything is missing or damaged, act immediately, before the final payment is made. If needs be, get your lawyer to delay the signing of the deed until you are completely happy. It will be almost impossible to get redress and satisfaction later. If you leave it too late and need to take this to the courts to get redress, years may elapse before something is done about it – if at all.


Until next time...


Kim
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Overseasbuyingguide.com