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Looking for a Home Buyer Survey for your property in Northern Ireland?


If you’re purchasing a property in Northern Ireland, one of the most important steps you can take is commissioning a RICS Home Buyer Survey or Home Buyer Report. This is a mid-level property survey designed to give buyers peace of mind and highlight potential risks before contracts are signed.

 

Unlike a basic Mortgage Valuation, which is carried out for the lender’s benefit rather than the buyer’s, a Home Buyer Survey provides a far more detailed overview of the condition of the property. At the same time, it is less extensive (and less expensive) than a Full Building Survey, making it the most popular choice for standard homes in reasonable condition.

Image of What is included in a Home Buyer Survey / Home Buyer Report?

What is included in a Home Buyer Survey / Home Buyer Report?


  • Background information on the property and location.
  • An estimate for the cost of re-building the property for insurance purposes.
  • An assessment of any damp-proofing, drainage or insulation in the building. Drains are not tested.
  • Condition of the building's timbers and checking woodworm or rot.
  • Review of visible parts of the building, including walls, roof, floors, windows, doors, and services such as heating and drainage where accessible.
  • Damp test results taken from the walls.
  • Details of urgent problems which should receive specialist attention before signing a contract.
  • Details of major faults in easy to get to parts of the property that may affect its value.


It’s important to note that a Home Buyer Survey is non-intrusive: surveyors will not lift carpets, move furniture, drill into walls, or inspect concealed wiring and plumbing. Instead, the focus is on providing a reliable overview of the property’s condition that helps buyers make an informed decision and avoid costly surprises after purchase.

Note: If you have a property that is in need of renovation or that you intend to alter, we recommend you commission the more comprehensive Building Survey from a RICS Chartered Surveyor.

Benefits of a Home Buyer Survey / Home Buyer Report


  • Identify urgent defects that could affect the property’s value or require immediate attention.
  • Highlight potential issues that may need further specialist investigation.
  • Provide a clear, jargon-free condition rating system (green, amber, red) for key areas of the property.
  • Give you peace of mind regarding any problems that are identified before you buy a property. The survey can allow for the reopening of negotiations with the seller on the agreed price. You could agree with the seller that they complete any repairs before you move in, or budget for any repairs that need to be carried out after the sale completes. In some circumstances, you may even wish to rethink your purchase of that property.

 

In Northern Ireland, Home Buyer Surveys are carried out by RICS Chartered Surveyors, ensuring the inspection meets the highest professional standards, giving buyers clear, practical advice they can trust during the purchasing process. At Simon Brien, our in-house team of experienced surveyors regularly complete Home Buyer Surveys across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Holywood, Newtownards, Newry, Warrenpoint, Newcastle and beyond.

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