Husband is flying up to Glasgow today to 'view' a house that we might like to buy. The seller has had a survey done so potential purchasers don't all have to commission their own surverys. (I've not bought/sold in Scotland since 19oatcake.)
Anyway, the survey specifically says that the report does not include any inspection for knotweed. I've been reading up on it and am of the belief that no lender will touch any property with the weed. Apparently it can lie invisible and dormant for years so it's not just a case of scouting around looking for it.
I'm thinking we need a specialist, with professional liability insurance, to check for it and reassure us that there's no knotweed present. Or, if it is there we'll not offer on the property.
What else should I know? Is there a specific discipline to look for? I'd be very grateful of any advice.
Thanks in advance.
Japanese knotweed
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Stravaig
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I dunno.
I certainly would agree that the moving industry wants to extract money from us but if no lender would touch such a place we'd have to be cash buyers. Maybe we could do that but we'd need to sell our house in Kent first, and that would involve money down the drain renting meanwhile and that particular house will be long gone by then. And anyway, when we want to sell we'd be looking for cash buyers only too. Not ideal!
Otherwise we'll need a bridging loan, and susequently a small mortgage - so we have plenty of money to do the place up. So, whether it's a means of extracting money or not, we need to be reassured that the place doesn't have knotweed, otherwise we won't bid. I don't want to be up sh!t creek without a paddle because we can't get a loan or mortgage. I'm not hung up about it just exercising prudence, as accountants are inclined to do.
I certainly would agree that the moving industry wants to extract money from us but if no lender would touch such a place we'd have to be cash buyers. Maybe we could do that but we'd need to sell our house in Kent first, and that would involve money down the drain renting meanwhile and that particular house will be long gone by then. And anyway, when we want to sell we'd be looking for cash buyers only too. Not ideal!
Otherwise we'll need a bridging loan, and susequently a small mortgage - so we have plenty of money to do the place up. So, whether it's a means of extracting money or not, we need to be reassured that the place doesn't have knotweed, otherwise we won't bid. I don't want to be up sh!t creek without a paddle because we can't get a loan or mortgage. I'm not hung up about it just exercising prudence, as accountants are inclined to do.
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Westi
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I don't blame you for your diligence. Some councils keep records of areas infested with Japanese Knotweed, but unknown if it is generalised to all councils or just some; & some are also the exterminators. (It can be successfully nuked)! Maybe contact the council where the house is or another alternative would be to see if your chosen area has a local FB page you can join & ask the question on there?
Westi
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Myrkk
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If you haven’t bought yet, then arrive early and do a general reccie. Having bought in Scotland twice in the last 9yrs after living down south, I’d like to say it’s easier but it is just as big a pain in the bum as it is anywhere else. One thing is we still have the home report up here so it’s a basic start. Look at the house carefully, and go look again once you’ve thought about it.
These reports are all the same. We bought a house in Durham and after moving in found we’d have to move out as it was full of asbestos. Spoke to a solicitor and they advised they had so many caveats on the report we’d not get anywhere. This was despite a specialist stating the surveyors should have seen it during the loft inspection.
As always, buyer beware.
And ask about their relationships with the neighbours, parking issues etc.
These reports are all the same. We bought a house in Durham and after moving in found we’d have to move out as it was full of asbestos. Spoke to a solicitor and they advised they had so many caveats on the report we’d not get anywhere. This was despite a specialist stating the surveyors should have seen it during the loft inspection.
As always, buyer beware.
And ask about their relationships with the neighbours, parking issues etc.