(Akiit.com) If you’re in the market to buy property of your own, then no doubt this is a dream come true – it’s a step towards personal freedom in more ways than one. No doubt you are excited about the prospect; however, that’s no reason to be careless and impatient when it comes to the procedure. You want to make sure you make the right deal, the one you feel is a good investment, after all.
To ensure you know what you’re getting into, it’s very important that you get a survey done. Your mortgage lender will demand one (although the one they demand will not give you much insight). 
You need a survey that will satisfy your own needs. But which one should you choose? Here’s what you should really expect from a building surveyor’s services.
Valuations
Never use a valuation as a survey. Your bank will request the valuation, but it’s in your own interest to go beyond that and get a proper survey done (a survey includes more detailed inspection and possibly testing).
The surveys
Though there are many kinds of surveys, the two main ones you will more often encounter are the following:
- Homebuyer’s report. This is a perfect survey if you want to keep your costs to a minimum and you are sure that the property you buy is in good order; it’s acceptable for relatively newly built buildings where not many issues are expected. It will only list the general conditions of the property, and (if any) major flaws.
- Full building survey. This kind is more expensive but goes into far more detail, which means it’s better for older houses, or if you are planning on making renovations to the property. Buildings made in an unusual way also fall into this category.
Advantages
There’s no doubt that the survey benefits the buyer – in two major ways, as experienced surveyors Essex from Cheke & Co. will tell you. First of all, you will be able to discover any faults with the property, and are therefore in a better position to negotiate. Secondly, you’ll eliminate surprises and will be able to plan financially for the future in a much better way regarding renovations.
Once you’ve decided the kind of survey that is right for you, it’s time to look around for a surveyor who can do the job right. It might be interesting to look for recommendations from your mortgage provider or mortgage broker, though remember that they might not always have your best interests in mind – after all, they work together. Look around via different media and make a short list. Interview them and check their qualifications. Take your time finding the right one – after all, it’s your future home you’re talking about.
Staff Writer; Larry Jones