Q&A: Planning detective, Price worries, Holiday homes
Your property questions answered
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Your support makes all the difference.YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: We have found a semi-detached house we would like to buy. The house next door is being extended quite extensively but when I asked the vendor what exactly was planned, she was evasive. Can I find out what the plans are? D Corley, by email
A: The easiest way is to visit the planning department of the local authority in person. You will need to give the full address of the property and then you will be able to look at the plans and any correspondence regarding the application. This will also tell you if planning permission was granted. There is not usually a charge.
Q: We have been trying to buy a house since last October. Our solicitor has told us we are now ready to exchange but I'm worried that the house may now be worth less than we agreed to pay, given that house prices are falling. How can we find out if we are paying too much? Chris Duke, by email
A: Presumably you are still selling your own house for the price agreed back in October. You can ask estate agents for a guide price for the property you intend to buy or look up average prices based on postcodes over the last year on line at www.hometrack.co.uk. You will probably find that prices have not risen as much as they had been as opposed to actually falling. A house is generally worth what you are prepared to pay for it. If your survey showed repairs were necessary, you might have cause to negotiate a lower price, but making a lower offer at this stage could mean losing the purchase.
Q: I have been left some money and I'm thinking of buying a holiday home for my family – I have two young children. I can't decide whether to buy in this country or abroad. I have £120,000 to spend without having to get mortgage. Any advice? Cecile Worthington, by email
A: Consider how often you intend to use the holiday home and the ease and cost of travel to it, especially as you have young children. Ideally you should investigate your ideal locations both in the UK and abroad to see what you would get for your money. The internet will give you some starting points. Many local estate agents now also sell property abroad and may be able to give you advice. Good book shops have a wide selection of advice guides.
If you would like a query answered on buying or selling a property, e-mail: propertyq&a@independent.co.uk. Only those questions featured will be answered. Any advice given will not be legally binding
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