BEALS ESTATE AGENTS HAMPSHIRE ENGLAND

Beals Independent Surveyors can provide clients with the established range of professional reports normally required for house purchase. Such reports usually comprise of either a Homebuyer Survey
& Valuation, a Building Survey, or a Valuation.

***HIPS*** - All the information you need to know about the new Home Information Packs will be online soon. For further information please contact your local Beals branch.

Why do I need a survey?

Obviously cash purchasers will want to ensure that their investment is sound and that unforeseen problems and defects will not come to light after the purchase and which might otherwise have been reflected in the price paid for the property.

However, most people buying a house do so with the help of a mortgage. As part of this process, a mortgage valuation will be commissioned. However, this is not a 'survey ', merely a valuation for the purposes of the mortgage lender to ensure that the sum being lent is adequately covered. On occasions, borrowers will not even be provided with a copy of the report.

Thus it is prudent for house purchasers to have an independent survey and valuation undertaken on their behalf so that they can make a more informed judgement on the true condition of the property and any effect this may have on value and future maintenance implications.

Types of survey and valuation reports

HOMEBUYER REPORT
This is a popular report laid out in a standard format prepared by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and involves a thorough visual inspection of all readily visible areas, including the roof void. It is intended to provide a professional opinion as to whether the property is considered to be a good purchase at the agreed price.

The report is in logical headed sections and includes matters that we believe should be referred to your legal advisers for further investigation.

The report is a general guide to condition and value and is not suited to more individual, larger or older properties.

BUILDING SURVEY
This is a more in depth report suited to larger or older properties and contains more detail in relation to the nature of construction, identified defects and specific remedies. Again it is a visual inspection of all exposed and accessible areas, including the roof void.

Tests on service installations are not undertaken, although we can advise on the need for such tests by suitably qualified specialists should our visual inspection reveal the need to do so. Accessible drainage chambers will be inspected.

The report can be tailored to suit your particular needs and can include a valuation if required. These reports are often used as a checklist for defects and in order to obtain quotations from building contractors.

VALUATION
Clients may wish for a valuation report to confirm that an agreed price is a fair reflection of market value. Whilst such reports comment generally on the condition of a property, they do not constitute a survey and are commonly instructed for probate or matrimonial purposes.

How do I instruct someone to undertake a survey or valuation?

Click here to request a residential survey quote

Alternatively, please telephone one of our Chartered Surveyors on 01329 826321 so that we can discuss your individual requirements.

We will then confirm instructions in writing, including the agreed fee level and a copy of standard Terms of Engagement, which adhere to RICS guidelines.
A stamped addressed envelope will be enclosed for you to return a signed copy of the Terms and which must be returned before the report can be released. In the meantime, we will make arrangements with the vendors or their agents to carry out our inspection.

EPC's

The preparation of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is now a legal requirement for both residential and commercial properties on sale or letting. Failure to comply carries heavy penalties. The certificates provide an energy rating and banding for properties, information on carbon emissions and recommendations for improvements.

Beals have a team of qualified Energy Assessors providing both residential and commercial EPC’s on properties throughout southern Hampshire. Please telephone for a quotation on 01329 826321. Please also follow the link to our sister company www.commercialenergy-assessors.co.uk.

Allied Surveyors plc - Solent area

Beals are also part of Allied Surveyors plc, operating in the Solent area which extends from Bognor Regis in the east to Lymington and the New Forest in the west.

Allied Surveyors is one of the largest independent firms of chartered surveyors in the UK with in excess of 160 offices covering every postcode area. We are appointed to the valuation panels of most mortgage lenders, including many commercial lenders.

Allied are also at the forefront of planned implementation of the new Home Information Packs in relation to the new Sellers Pack.

For more information visit the Allied Surveyors website at www.alliedsurveyors.com