In the market for a new property purchase in the French Riviera? A South of France property surveyor will be your most trusted friend.
Having the unbiased assistance and support of a professional South of France property surveyor will deliver peace of mind and help you feel confident that the new home you’re looking to purchase abroad, is as beautiful and secure on the inside as it appears on the outside.
But what happens if the property survey reveals problems with the building?
It can be frustrating and more than a little disappointing for sure. However, all may not be lost.
Depending on the extent and severity of the issues uncovered, you may not have to give up on your dream home. In fact, a bad survey may actually present an opportunity to get a better price.
Common Defects a South of France Property Surveyor may Discover
There are many problems that may be revealed by a property survey. Damp is among the most common – especially in older buildings. There are three types of damp – rising damp, condensation damp and penetrating damp. All types can be treated – though may prove costly depending on cause and scale.
Your South of France property surveyor will also inspect your property for both wet and dry rot. Rot weakens the timber in a property. Although it is treatable, replacement and repair work may need to be undertaken, which, again, can be expensive.
Subsidence is another issue that a property survey may reveal, occurring when the ground underneath a property begins to sink or cave in, compromising the building’s structural integrity. If so, it is recommended that a full structural survey – the most comprehensive of all property surveys – be carried out to fully investigate the extent of the issue. From there, the potential costs of remedial work can be estimated.
Electrics and heating issues may also be uncovered by an experienced South of France property surveyor. If so, the surveyor may recommend having a professional electrician investigate the wiring, and/or a heating engineer inspect the boiler to provide quotes for fixes.
The surveyor will also highlight other general defects in plasterwork, fixtures and fittings.
What Are Your Options?
If any of the above issues are revealed in the property survey, you will have some serious choices to make. This, indeed, is the whole purpose of having a building surveyed – so you are armed with professional guidance to help you make the right ones.
You essentially have three options:
- Pull out of the sale: If the issues are too severe for your liking, you can simply pull out of the purchase.
- Ask the seller to fix the problems: Depending on how many offers the seller has had, they may be willing to fix the problems to keep the sale moving forwards. If they do agree to this, it is recommended that you have a second survey conducted following any remedial works to confirm the promised changes have been made.
- Renegotiate price: With a professional survey, you have bargaining power. The survey will reveal defects, and you can get quotes on the costs of fixing them – costs that you may be able to offset by renegotiating a lower price. Be prepared, however – if the seller refuses to budge on price, despite the survey findings, you will need to decide whether to proceed with the sale or not.
Charles Mackintosh South of France Property Surveyor
RICS chartered South of France property surveyor Charles Mackintosh has over 30 years’ experience living and operating in the region, providing highly regarded English language property surveys and advice for British buyers.
Get in touch with Charles today to organise a property survey in the South of France.