The Property Adviser: Don't forget to ask what the neighbours think

Friends of mine had found their perfect house. A renovated 3-bedroom Victorian property with original period features: slate roof tiles, Victorian fireplaces, large sash windows, etc.

Before making an offer the friends asked for my professional opinion. The property had been completely refurbished to an excellent standard and it looked sound. And on the face of it, at that moment in time, the neighbourhood looked good too.

When I search for property I always do a lot of research, including asking neighbours what they think of the area.

So after the viewing I suggested that this is exactly what we should do. Although the friends were not very comfortable with the idea, we nevertheless stopped to speak with a couple of locals and asked if they were happy living there. Well, we discovered more than we bargained for - cars regularly stolen (including theirs!), police chases, burglaries... These particular locals concluded that they wished they had never bought their houses and feared they would be difficult to sell.

My friends could not believe their ears. These little conversations probably saved them a lot of hassle - potential car theft and burglary, expensive insurance, not to mention stress and worry. Needless to say, they didn’t make an offer on that house, but they now realise that the neighbours can be a source of valuable information.