RICS Level 2 Survey in Exelby, Leeming and Londonderry

Our RICS Level 2 Survey covers all readily accessible parts of the property in a thorough visual inspection. We look at the walls, roof, floors, doors, windows and permanently attached fixtures, tap walls for hollow sounds that can point to damp or delamination, inspect roofs from ground level where safe access is possible, and check the condition of damp-proof courses, ventilation systems and drainage. The report also includes a market valuation based on the property's current condition and local market data.

Older homes in this part of North Yorkshire often come with recurring defects that buyers need to spot early. Around 48% of transactions in the Londonderry area involve terraced houses, and these older terraced properties can suffer from failed original damp-proof courses, aging roof coverings and outdated electrical systems that may not meet current regulations. Our surveyors know this housing stock well, so we set out any such issues clearly in the report.

We assess the property's construction and overall condition in detail, with particular attention to things that are easy to miss during an ordinary viewing. That means looking for signs of subsidence or structural movement, checking the condition of any chimneys and examining the integrity of load-bearing walls. On site, our tablet-based reporting system lets us record detailed photographs and notes as we go, so nothing gets overlooked when we prepare the final report.

The report uses a simple condition rating system. Condition Rating 1 means no repair is currently needed, Condition Rating 2 means repairs are needed but no urgent action is required, and Condition Rating 3 points to serious defects needing urgent investigation and repair. It is a practical way to sort priorities, and it can help when negotiating with the seller if major problems come to light. We send the report within 3-5 working days of the inspection, so you have time to weigh things up before your purchase completion date.

Across Exelby, Leeming and Londonderry, the market is mixed enough that professional surveying advice matters. Exelby has a median price of £227,500 based on 106 total sales, and values there have fallen back to levels not seen since 2013. Over the last year, historical sold prices in Exelby were 75% down on the 2013 peak of £590,000, a substantial correction in the local market. Leeming's average sold price is around £175,121, while Londonderry is stronger at approximately £285,074 and has shown consistent year-on-year growth of 2-3.9%.

In the DL7 9ND postcode sector, terraced homes dominate, making up roughly 48% of sales. Semi-detached properties are also a familiar part of the parish market, with an average price of £209,168, while detached properties attract a premium at around £413,150 and form a smaller share of transactions. New build supply is effectively absent, with 0% of sales being new builds in Exelby in 2025, so most available homes are older stock and come with the usual age-related issues.

For buyers looking across these villages, location can shift value quite noticeably. A terraced property in Londonderry will usually sell for more than a comparable one in Exelby, which reflects the different levels of demand and the amenities available in each village. We take those local market differences into account when producing valuations, so the figure you receive is tied to the property's exact location. That matters here, especially with the three villages moving in different directions on price.

The housing stock in Exelby, Leeming and Londonderry is shaped by the agricultural heritage of this part of North Yorkshire. In Londonderry's DL7 9ND postcode area especially, many terraced properties date from the Victorian and Edwardian periods and use traditional solid wall construction with lime-based mortars. They often have plenty of character, but they can also bring failed original damp-proof courses, aging roof coverings that need replacement and outdated electrical installations that may not meet current Part P regulations.

Much of the area's semi-detached housing was built from the post-war period through to the 1970s, during the years when the villages expanded. These homes usually have cavity wall construction, although some earlier examples may have solid walls. Our surveyors inspect render finishes, check window frames for rot or decay, and assess the integrity of Extensions added over time. Because of the age of these properties, original elements such as lead pipework and cast iron gutters may still be in place, so we assess both their condition and their remaining lifespan.

Detached homes in the parish sit at the top end of the local market, averaging around £413,150, with 41 sales recorded since 2018. They also tend to be more involved to inspect. Larger houses often have more complex roof structures, multiple chimneys and more than one bathroom and kitchen fit-out, all of which need proper scrutiny. Our Level 2 Survey covers these elements, identifying roof structure defects, checking for signs of movement in bigger buildings and assessing the condition of all permanent fixtures and fittings.