Buying a home remains a goal for many young people despite it becoming increasingly difficult to afford in recent years. The number of first-time buyers shot up by 19 percent in 2024, according to Lloyds Bank, reaching its highest figure in a decade and signifying a resurgence in the market.
With interest in first-time buyer homes rising, property experts are keen to share their advice on what it’s important to look out for when viewing properties to avoid potential future issues and costs.
Home Builders Federation shared that a huge 93.7 percent of new build buyers reported problems such as snags and defects to their property since moving in. Older homes have their fair share of problems, too, with issues like damp which can cost up to £16,000 to fix.
Interior expert Johanna Constantinou at Tapi Carpets & Floors and estate agent Rachel Lansdell at Preston Baker have now warned of the ‘hidden’ home defects to look out for to avoid costly problems when buying your first home.
Gaps and cracks in flooring may signal underlying issues
“Look out for any small cracks or warping in smooth flooring, whether that’s tiles, luxury vinyl or wooden floorboards, as this could be a sign of flooring absorbing excessive moisture and underlying damp problems,” Johanna said.
“Persistent dampness can cause boards to lift or curl at the edges and may also be linked to leaks from plumbing or poor ventilation.
“Visible gaps between flooring and skirting boards specifically can even be a sign of subsidence, a significant problem that happens when the ground beneath a property shifts or sinks, leading to separation at joins.”
Be observant of missing roof tiles
The most expensive fixes to a house are often problems with the roof or structural issues, like inside the walls or chimney,” Rachel said.
“While you can’t check the current condition of internal structures at an initial house viewing, missing or broken roof tiles can be a giveaway of potential internal damage.
“Broken roof tiles can let in rainwater in, allowing moisture to seep into the home’s insulation, ceilings, walls, and even electrics, which can lead to rot, mould, and decay. Once a home’s internal materials are affected by moisture, repair costs rise steeply.”
Ask the age of the boiler
“It’s basically impossible to tell if there are plumbing issues when simply viewing a home, so always ask for the boiler age ahead of making decisions,” said Rachel.
As a rule of thumb, if the boiler is more than 10 years old or looks outdated, budget for a replacement, which costs around £2,000 to £4,000, and consider asking for a boiler check during your survey.”
Check the EPC
“An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is an official document that shows how energy-efficient a home is, based on factors like insulation, heating systems, windows, and how much energy the home uses overall,” said Rachel.
“Checking this before purchasing helps buyers to understand likely energy bills, while also including recommendations for improving energy efficiency which can lower these bills and therefore costs in the long term.”
The experts advise that first-time buyers should always pay for a survey before making an offer to avoid more hidden complications.
“The biggest red flags that buyers often miss during viewings are hard to see, like structural issues, damp, roof issues and problems with electrics or heating systems, which is why you should always get a homebuyer’s survey before committing to a purchase,” Rachel advises.
“I would also recommend gas and electrical safety checks, too, if you are close to putting in an offer.”
It’s also advised to invest in energy efficiency and damp proofing once you move in.
“To make your home more valuable overtime and prevent future costs, you should consider investing in high quality roofing and insulation if these are not up to standard already as this will improve energy efficiency overall, lowering bills,” says Rachel.
Contact one of our highly experienced mortgage advisors today on 0121 500 6316 to discuss your mortgage needs.
