Searching for property online has become the norm, with buyers heavily relying on listings found on portals and agent websites. However, online listings often don’t tell the full story, and making an informed decision requires a deeper investigation. In this guide, experts from Stacks Property Search share tips on how to become a savvy online property listing sleuth and uncover crucial details that may not be immediately visible.
What Online Listings Don’t Tell You
When it comes to a property search, online is a great starting point, but buyers are increasingly relying on information found on the portals and agent websites.
Sara Ransom of Stacks Property Search says, “Online is a great place to start, but listings on the portals and agent websites generally don’t tell the whole story.
“Think about deal-breakers for you that aren’t mentioned; for instance, if it’s a fourth-floor flat and there’s no mention of a lift, it’s worth a quick call to the agents so you can either include or exclude it from your shortlist.”
“Full postcode, EPC rating, and floor plan are vital elements of any search, and they’re not always included by agents. Chase them down so you’re fully informed, to the extent that you can accurately place a property on a map.”
“Often the trouble is what isn’t included, for instance, road noise, smelly farms, pylons, underground tube rumbles, shared access, noisy neighbours—to name just a few examples. Many of these things can be checked out with a quick drive-past or using other online resources.”
Interpreting Photos, Floorplans, and Orientation
“Photographs are the element of an online listing most scrutinised by buyers. Some photography is exceptional and clever, showing a property in a better light, while the opposite can also be true. Some properties are just hard to photograph, and some photographers are better than others. If the photographs are badly done, it can lead you to dismiss properties that actually deserve further investigation.”
Ed Jephson of Stacks Property Search says, “Floorplans are of course very useful but only go so far. They’re a great way of figuring out the layout, establishing access from one room to another, and to the outside space, and getting a feel for how the accommodation would work for you. But don’t assume they’re drawn to scale, as in the most part, they are not.
“They may not clearly show limited head height, and always be mindful of the total square footage, or ‘headline figure,’ as this can very often include less valuable areas such as cellars, garages, and outbuildings. It’s always worth checking the accuracy of the compass point too.”
“There are some great apps and websites (Suncalc.org is one) that will show you the exact position of a property and how the sun rises and sets in relation to that property at any time of the year.”
Investigating the Surroundings and Local Context
“Buyers should always be cautious when they look at a perfect exterior of a country cottage. What’s next door? How busy is the road, and how close is it to the house? What does the property overlook? And what overlooks the property? All these things can be easily checked, but the listing is unlikely to give you the full answers. Don’t waste your time on a viewing until you’ve looked at least Google Street and Satellite Views.”
Nick Cunningham of Stacks Property Search says, “Local knowledge can make an image more informative. Understanding the local terrain and the layout of minor and major roads puts an image into context.
“Road noise is a major issue – Google Maps will help you here, but remember, a property that is peaceful when there are leaves on the trees, on a dry day, in a southerly wind, can be shockingly noisy when the trees are bare, roads are wet, and the wind is southwesterly.”
Gillie Pearce of Stacks Property Search says, “Garden size is important, and images can be tricky to interpret. Call the agent and ask for dimensions or square footage.
“’Edge of village’ is an over-used phrase that really doesn’t carry much meaning. Check with Google Streetview how far it is in or out of the village.”
The Legal Side of Listings
James Greenwood of Stacks Property Search says, “The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 applies to property agents. The regulations require agents to behave honestly and in good faith, requiring agents to disclose information that they know about in a clear, intelligible, and timely fashion.
“So it’s rare that agents’ details mislead intentionally. But there’s so much more to know about a property and the issues surrounding a potential sale than will be detailed online, and clearly, it’s in the agent’s interests to show a property in its best light.”
Stacks Property Search, 01594 842880 / www.stacks.co.uk
