Getting to that point of finalizing the details of a property purchase is one that feels like running across the finish line. The previous owners are ready to hand you the keys to your new house and your name is now on the dotted line of a contract. This means that your mind is going to be on a million things, which means it becomes very easy to forget which questions you should be asking before you take those keys.
You need to get ready for the arrival of the removal list, and you need to start stocking up your new fridge and freezer with food. When an emergency arises in the new house however you might not have the luxury of time to find out whether they already have pre approved residential pest control services or not. That means that there are some final questions that you should be looking to ask before you pick up those keys. Below we’ve put some things together.
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1. Where’s the electricity meter? Often people stumble on the first hurdle, especially if there is a power cut in their home. Whether it’s your air fryer and dishwasher playing at the same time that makes the power go out or not, it doesn’t really matter. You still need to know where the electric meter is. Ask the current owners where the meter is and to show it to you as well as how it works before you get those keys.
2. Where is the water main stopcock? Do you know what to do if a pipe bursts in the home? Of course you do. You know that you need to shut off the water. But if you don’t know where the stock is, how are you supposed to do that? It’s a simple question, and it could save you a lot of money, a lot of time and a lot of grief later on.
3. How do you turn off the gas? If you have gas appliances in the house and something goes wrong, the very first thing that you need to do is shut the gas off. Having the old owners show you where and how to do that is important.
4. Where are the buried pipes located? Most homes have sewage pipes buried around the side or the front of the home. You don’t want to be somebody who breaks through a PVC or a clay pipe when you’re outside doing your gardening, so make sure that you ask where the location of buried pipes are so that you can avoid it.
5. Does the house need any special treatments? This is your brand new home, so if there are any special treatments that have been used around the house, such as varnish or paint, you need to make sure that you ask that question. It could make a big difference to you when you finally get those keys and move in.
Your home is going to be much happier if you know where these things are!
What do you think?