What is a Property Survey?

Property Survey Mortgage Advice in Leeds

So, you have had your offer accepted on a property but, is the house actually worth what you said you would pay for it?

If you are wanting to know what the actual value is and the property’s overall condition, a property survey can help with this.

This survey will mention any significant repairs or alterations needed, like repairing the roof.

Different Types of Property Survey

There are a plethora of survey options available, however, the most common types include mortgage valuations, homebuyer’s report and a full structural survey. You might find the survey is free of charge, however, this depends on the lender. For more information on the different types of surveys, check out the content below.

The surveys differ depending on the outcomes on the report. For example, you may receive a report that is more detailed and thorough, whereas you might get one that only mentions certain aspects. The more in-depth a survey is, the more it will cost.

Navigating your way through the process can be daunting and you might want to choose the cheaper option. As much as this will save you money at the time, it may not be worth it in the future and become far more expensive.

In the event that you find something on your survey about your property that you weren’t notified about, by law, you can approach the seller and negotiate a fairer price.

Mortgage Valuation

The most basic property survey is Mortgage Valuations. You usually have this carried out on when you are working out how much a property is worth. This is helpful to the lender as they need to be sure that the property price matches the amount you are set to borrow from them.

For instance, if you put an offer above the property’s actual value, the seller will likely accept your offer but, your lender won’t. Unless you have the funds to make up the difference, the lender will pull out of the deal which is known as down valuation.

The one drawback with this survey is that it doesn’t highlight any apparent repairs and damages. On the other hand, it can let you know of any obvious structural defects that will require a further look at. If you are looking for a more in-depth property investigation, you will need to pay extra to upgrade your survey. This could be worth it in the long run.

Homebuyer’s Report

A Homebuyers Report looks at safety. It checks out how safe the property is and if it is suitable to live in. Surveyors will want to know of any mould problems, damp issues or something that does not pass the current building laws.

The report will be carried out by a property expert. They will examine the property from to bottom to see if it’s safe for you to move into.

Full Structural Survey

You might have made an offer on an older building. As a Mortgage Broker in Leeds, we would strongly advise that you undergo a Full Structural Survey.

With the whole property being surveyed, this does make this survey type the most expensive one. This property survey will provide a lot more detail compared to the three primary surveys with showing what condition the property is in and the changes that will need to made if the property price goes through.

A Full Structural Survey can take as long as a whole day, depending on the property size.

It can take a surveyor as long as a whole day to carry out a Full Structural Survey, however, this does depend on the property size.

Do I need to get a survey on a new build?

When it comes to new build properties, surveys work a bit differently. There is a property survey designed for new builds called a Snagging Survey. This will inform you of any minor and significant issues. The issues could range from a crack in the ceiling to a missing hinge on the door.

The new build might be built and ready for you to move into which, in this case, means you would want to look at getting a snagging survey carried out prior to moving in. By doing this, you are able to negotiate the price if there is anything wrong with the property.

Mortgage Advice in Leeds

If you are wondering which survey is the best one for you, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our team. We have extensive experience helping many first time buyers in Leeds and people looking to move home in Leeds find the most appropriate property surveys.

You can receive the services of a surveyor to carry out a Homebuyers report or building survey through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Date Last Edited: December 6, 2023