Repossessions - how to buy a repo

• Often cheaper than other houses
• No pictures apart from outside view
• Notices in the door or front window
• Tape over cooker, sink, toilet etc
• Very overgrown garden
• No furniture in the house
• No gas or electric meter

These indicators don't guarantee it's a repo but they're usually a good indicator. Ask the estate agent. They should tell you. If it's a repo and your offer is accepted then your offer will be advertised in the local press and you'll have just 28 days to complete the deal - so you'll have to be ready.

Should you do a survey? If you do and it reveals faults its possible they will reject any lower offer - you can always try though - but perhaps if you like something that's a repo you could arrange a second viewing with which you take a trusted builder or arrange for a surveyor to go with you to advise.

Generally though it's easier to assume that you'll need a rewire and new heating and any obvious decoration and kitchen and bathroom issues sorting out. That way if it doesn't need it then you're quids in!

When you've completed on a repo and need the gas turning back on then it's worth arranging for a corgi engineer to be there to commission the system and deal with any issues and service your boiler (Or tell you it needs to be replaced!)