Must-ask questions when purchasing property

It is widely accepted that there is no such thing as a silly question. Or, as Mark Twain famously put it, "he who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever". And while forever may be a long time, when it comes to the questions you need to ask before signing an offer to purchase on a property, it is certainly wise to ask questions - and certainly the one listed below.

"We always encourage buyers to ask absolutely everything they want and need to know about a property they are thinking of purchasing. Any property is a big commitment, a serious investment and a transaction laden with emotion, so you need to be very comfortable with your decision," says Steven van Rooyen, Principal at Leapfrog Milnerton.

He believes the most pertinent questions include:

What is the age of the property?

The age of a property offers at least some indication of the kind of upgrades and maintenance that can be expected. A property built in 1978, for example, may very likely need new plumbing and wiring at some point, if it hasn't been done already. This is opposed to a property built in, say, 2005 where the finishings may be outdated but everything else still in fine working order.

Why is the seller selling?

Depending on the extent of the information the seller is willing to share, this may be the most important question you can ask. A truthful answer may reveal that the neighbours are loud and obnoxious, or that the area has been a crime hotspot in recent months. "In many, if not most, cases the reason for selling will have far more to do with the seller's needs and preferences than external factors that could discourage potential buyers, but it definitely still bears asking," Van Rooyen advises

What upgrades and renovations have been done on the property in recent years?

In the same way that a used car comes with a service history that serves as useful information about the overall condition of the vehicle, a property also has a "service" history. Only the history of upgrades, maintenance and renovation on a property is not formally documented and thus very important for potential buyers to ask the seller about it.

Having this information to hand certainly influences and informs a buyer's decision about a property. For example, if the roof has had to be patched for leaks every six months for the past five years, it could mean the entire roof will need replacing in the near future, whereas knowing that the property was newly rewired in the past year suggests that electrical issues are unlikely.

It can be big things or little things - Has the showerhead ever been replaced? When was the enclosed patio built on? - but do ask, as the more information you have about the physical condition of a property the better you can assess its suitability for your own needs.

What are the neighbours and the neighbourhood in general like?

Everybody wants nice neighbours, and to live in a good - friendly and safe - neighbourhood, and while potential buyers would already know a bit about the area and the neighbourhood it is still advisable to ask for more details and insights from those who know it intimately from living there so be sure to ask.

"Some buyers prefer neighbours that are quiet and keep to themselves while others would welcome being part of a more vibrant and social neighbourhood community, so there is no right or wrong answer. It is merely useful for buyers to have this information as it helps them to make a more informed decision about a property, in line with their needs and preferences," Van Rooyen explains.

Questions should always be encouraged and sellers should have no qualms about answering to the best of their knowledge.