Avoid getting stuck with a bad buy. There are some questions you should ask a developer before buying a house in order to get a clear understanding of what you are getting into.
When searching for a home, it is always a good idea to look at the listings of estate developers because they have numerous houses of various designs for sale. Developers usually sell houses at fair prices and some offer buyers flexible payment plans.
However, before buying from a developer, there are some questions that you ought to ask your developer to enable you know what you are getting into.
1. Can I See The Present Condition and Details of The Property?
Ask the developer to show you more details of the property so you can see the present condition of the property. Developers sell their houses off-plan or at various stages of completion, so you should request for current photographs of the property and an extensive description of the property features. It is also important to do a physical tour of the property to confirm what the developer has shown you.
2. What Kind of Infrastructure Will You Provide and When Will They Be Ready?
It is advisable to ask developers what kind of infrastructure they intend providing for the estate and when these infrastructural facilities would be ready. Make sure that portable water, electricity, good roads, recreational facilities and other infrastructural facilities are already in place or being constructed before buying a house from a developer.
3. What Kind of Improvements will I Be Allowed to Make?
Some developers have restrictions on the type and level of improvements you are allowed to make on your property after purchase. For instance, you might not be allowed to construct a bore-hole water facility or build a high perimeter fence. Find out the type of restrictions that would be in place in order to determine if you are comfortable with them or not.
4. Are There Any Additional Costs Besides Buying The House?
Ask the developer if you will be required to make any additional payment apart from the cost of buying the house. If yes, find out exactly what you would be paying for and how much it would cost. If the developer sounds dodgy, there might be some hidden charges and these might constitute financial traps down the road.
5. Have You Executed Similar Projects Before?
It is necessary to enquire if the developer has executed similar projects before in order to know if they have a good history or not. If they have executed similar projects before, take a drive to these estates and ask buyers about their user experience. This can enable you get an idea of the kind of developer you intend doing business with.