Property for sale WARNING: If an estate agent says this ‘you know he's on the back foot’

Property for sale up and down the country is tempting buyers looking for an investment, a forever home or a step on the property ladder.

Therefore, making the right choice is vital when choosing a home.

A property market expert told the Mail Online one sign to look out for.

If your agent is talking about price per square foot you may well have the upper-hand.

They claimed size is not the most important factor when it comes to choosing which property to buy.

According to the Zoopla the average square foot costs £211, an increase of 26 per cent in five years.

Buying agent Henry Pryor said: “If an agent starts quoting price per sq ft you know he’s on the back foot.”

He continued: “I know there is a wall of money trying to commoditise second hand homes, but if I told you that the house you wanted to buy was worth more per square inch/foot/meter would you pay more? Of course you wouldn’t!

“Homes are like fine art. Is a Picasso that’s twice the size of another Picasso worth twice as much? Of course not. You can’t ‘value’ that feeling – good or bad that we all get when we walk into a house. It’s like trying to get a computer to value a Chippendale chair. Forget it.”

Another expert, estate agent Jeremy Leaf said: “The use of price per square foot as a comparison tool has increased considerably over the past few years but those using it should do so with caution as these figures are useful as a guide only.

“Buyers and sellers need to take into account other factors such as location, specification, outlook, natural light, condition etc which could all render the price per square foot figure almost academic in some cases.

“On the other hand, if you are comparing very similar-sized units in a standardised block of flats then the comparison price by area could be more than useful, although again significant differences can apply.”

Experts have revealed what you should look out for when buying a property.

Lawsure Insurance advise buyers to check that their new property isn’t going to need a new roof anytime soon.

When it comes to buying a property, buyers can be easily swayed by the items on show, such as plants, flat screen TVs and so on.

Lawsure insurance warn buyers not to get caught up in this minor details, but to pay attention to the structural matters first and foremost.

They say: “Staging is a selling technique which promotes ‘lifestyle’ rather than the physical property, and will sell for 8 per cent more than non-staged properties. Rather than being fooled by the plasma and lighting, keep your eyes strictly on structural features, which will remain long after new paint job has faded.”

A modern property for sale has been listed for just £33,000 on Zoopla. 

The property boasts a landscaped back garden and it has great transport links, with the closest train station just 0.1 of a mile away.

Such a house is likely to be snapped up very quickly but is there a catch?

source: express.co.uk