When buying a property, you don’t want to be faced with any unexpected financial surprises. A thorough inspection of the technical condition provides clarity on the structural condition of the property and helps you make decisions with peace of mind.
A visual inspection during a viewing doesn’t reveal everything by a long shot. A structural survey pinpoints any defects – such as overdue maintenance, damp problems or roof defects – with pinpoint accuracy. A certified inspector examines the load-bearing structures, the floors and the building services, so that you know exactly what repair costs to expect in both the short and long term.
An official inspection report puts you in a much stronger position during negotiations. As an NVM-accredited buying agent, we help you translate the technical findings into a realistic market value and a suitable offer. This helps you avoid letting emotion take over and ensures you stay within your financial limits. For more information, take a look at our options regarding purchase guidance at Overspaern.
To mitigate risks, it is advisable to include specific conditions precedent when making an offer. This ensures that the sale can be cancelled at no cost if the expected repair costs identified in the survey exceed a pre-agreed amount.
In a dynamic market for Haarlem properties, our estate agents always offer practical advice on how to draft these terms. This allows you to maintain financial security and protection without unnecessarily weakening your position as a buyer. You can find insights into the experiences of previous homebuyers on the page featuring customer reviews.
Interpreting a comprehensive structural report can be complicated. Our team will review the findings with you and advise on possible next steps, such as requesting further specialist investigations or revising the proposal.
Thanks to our personalised approach and transparent working methods, we provide peace of mind at every crucial moment. If you have any questions about the technical condition of a property or would like to discuss matters with one of our specialists, with no obligation, please contact us directly via our contact form for a no-obligation consultation.
A structural survey is an independent, visual inspection of the structural condition of a property. An expert checks, amongst other things, the foundations, the roof, the façades, the floors and the building services for defects and overdue maintenance.
The survey is usually carried out after the offer has been accepted, within the agreed timeframe for the conditions precedent. Sometimes people choose to have the survey carried out before making an offer.
No, a survey is not a legal requirement, but as a buyer you do have a legal duty to investigate. A survey helps you to fulfil this duty and prevents you from having to bear the cost of any hidden defects.
If the estimated repair costs exceed the amount agreed in the condition precedent, you can renegotiate the purchase price, ask the seller to carry out the repairs, or cancel the sale free of charge.
If lenders suspect that there are significant outstanding maintenance costs, they may require an inspection report to be submitted. In some cases, a portion of the estimated repair costs must be set aside in a building fund.
