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What type of Survey shall I choose?mortgage valuation home buyers report or full structural survey?

Updated: Sep 25, 2020





Lenders Mortgage valuation......


this is very basic


A lender’s valuation is specific to the property you’re looking to buy. It’s a survey that gives the lender an independent confirmation of the property’s value – including checking the prices of similar properties sold in the area.


The valuation also tells the lender if there are any features or significant defects that could affect the property’s value. After all, the lender is lending money against this property, so they have to be sure it’s the right type of property – and at the right price.


Keep in mind that if the property you’re looking to buy isn’t the kind the lender will lend against, such as being in a high-risk flood zone, above a shop or restaurant, or really run down, they might refuse your mortgage application.


There are two main types of survey - the 'Homebuyer's Report' and the 'Building Survey'.

Homebuyer's report


This type of survey is designed to keep costs to a minimum and is likely to be the best choice if the property you are buying is conventional in type and construction, is apparently in reasonable condition and built within the last 30 years. The survey focuses on defects and problems that are urgent and likely to have an effect on value. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the main objectives of the Homebuyer's report are to:

Make a reasoned and informed judgement on whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

Assess whether or not the property is a reasonable purchase at the agreed price.

Make clear what decisions and actions should be taken before contracts are exchanged.

Building survey


This type of survey is suitable for all residential properties and provides a full picture of the property's construction and condition. Because the level of detail is higher than the Homebuyer's Report, a Building Survey is more expensive. This type of survey is required when a property is of an unusual construction or has had extensive alterations, if it's old, in need of serious structural repair or if you're planning a major conversion or renovation.

The final report will include detailed technical information on the construction of the property, materials used and a listing of all major and minor defects. The report does not provide a valuation, however this can be arranged as an agreed extra.

The cost of this survey is from £400 upwards and will usually take one to two days to complete. You can expect the final report within three working weeks of the original survey.


Choosing a surveyor


Once you've worked out which type of survey to go for, the next task is to find a suitable surveyor. Your mortgage lender or estate agent may be able to offer a recommendation, also don't forget to ask any friends who've recently purchased a property. If these options fail to find someone suitable, contact the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), who currently have over 80,000 members working to the highest professional standards.

It's a good idea to assist your surveyor by passing on information about the locality, including any information you've gathered about properties that are for sale or have recently been sold in the area. Also, inform the surveyor of any potential problems that you noticed when you viewed the property.


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