5 questions to ask a Bradford estate agent before buying a home

House viewings are crucial and you need to turn up to the meeting fully prepared and loaded with questions.

However, if you are a first-time buyer or simply don’t know the first thing about the property market, then knowing what to ask at the viewing can be a challenge.

Luckily for you, we have tracked down a local expert who has given some great advice to those hoping to buy a house in Bradford.

James Hart has been a sales director at Robert Watts Estate Agents on Highfield Road for 17 years.

James Hart

He said it is so important for an estate agent to be upfront and honest with their buyers.

He added: “There is nothing more frustrating than being shown around a property with [an estate agent] who is incapable of answering basic questions.

Robert Watts Estate Agent, Highfield Road branchc

“We encourage our buyers to ask as many questions as possible at the viewing. Any that we can’t answer at the viewing itself we will be quick to get an response to them.”

James came up with a list of five of the most frequently asked questions from buyers- and the honest response that an estate agent should give:

1. How long can we expect the buying process to take and what can we do to speed the process up?

According to James, this question has been asked a lot more since the start of lockdown.

People are eager to move straight into their homes- but the buying process has been lengthened by the pandemic.

He said: “Ever since we came back in May 2020 it’s been crazy busy for estate agents.

“Before Covid, you could expect a property transaction to take 8-12 weeks- but now you can double this time frame.”

He added that first time buyers might be getting their data and information from their parents and their buying experience might not be relevant for today.

He added: “We have to manage both buyer and seller expectations.

“First time buyers might be getting advice from mum and dad who got their first house in six weeks.

“That’s not the case in the current climate- it can take up to four weeks just for the surveyor to examine the property,

However, there are somethings that can be done to speed up the buying process.

James said: “Start doing some of the basics and paperwork early.

“Get a solicitor on board, get a good mortgage broker and make sure you have a deposit.

“Don’t start shopping for mortgages while looking for a house- do this in advance.

“Then, when you find a dream hous,e you can move in on it much quicker.”

2. How old was the boiler and when was it last serviced?

James said this is a common question from buyers- but many people might not understand the answer they are given.

He said: “Most of us are not boiler experts- we don’t know how long boilers should last.

“However, getting stuck with a broken boiler could cost you upwards on top of £3000- which is the last thing you need when you have just bought a house.

According to Mr Hart, their vendors complete a property questionnaire at the start of the viewing with these key bits of information already included.

It also includes information about the condition of the water meters and the electrics of the house.

3. Are house prices likely to fall in the future?

Buyers want the very best deal they can get on a property, which is why so many people ask this question at house viewings.

However, James Hart says we need to change the way we view house prices.

“If we knew when house prices were likely to fall in the future- we would be a lot wealthier than we are now,” he joked.

He added that the property market is “notoriously difficult to predict” explaining that “nobody has ever been able to predict it accurately.”

For instance, he explained that house prices were predicted to be 10-20% lower by the end of 2020- but the complete opposite happened.

James said it’s important to view your property as a home first and an investment second.

He said: “It’s your home where you will live and raise a family- you’re not an investor.”

4. What is the area like?

Does a lot of crime take place on your street? Is the house close to a foul smelling abattoir? These are all questions that a reputable estate agent should be able to answer.

James said the estate agents across Robert Watts branches are born and bred in Bradford and know the area like “the back of their hands”.

He added: “We will never give false representation of what an area is like- we are duty bound to disclose anything that is considered detrimental about the area.

“We can only give an honest response if we live here.”

He also explained that agents should disclose what life at the house is like all year around- not just at the time and date of the viewing.

He added: “If we can explain this through our own personal experience wit will.

“If not, we will include as much information in our key facts for buyers report.”

5. What interest, including offers, has the property had?

People think they should ask this question- but James added that they might not know why they are asking or what the answer will mean to them.

He explained that agents cannot disclose monetary offers on the house as it is “an injustice to the clients”.

However, James added that buyers might not realise that agents are obliged to disclose how many offers and viewings a property has had.

You can also ask why any previous sales have fallen through.

He added: “We have to be up front. For instance, if a previous sale has fallen through because a Google search showed the buyer that a house is meters from a mine shaft, then we have to disclose this.”

If you are concerned about previous offers on the house and want to get the best deal possible on a property, James has a piece of advice.

He said: “If you are looking for a bargain or want something off the asking price you need to look at houses that have been on the market for the longest.”

The newest houses on might attract more buyers- and it will be harder to get a house for less than the asking price.

What questions would you make sure to ask on a house viewing?