RICS Level 2 Survey in Marske-by-the-Sea

Our RICS Level 2 survey gives a careful visual inspection of every accessible part of a property. In Marske-by-the-Sea, where the housing stock runs from new builds at developments like Marske Sands to older terraced houses in the village centre, our surveyors adjust their approach to suit the construction methods involved and the issues each type of home can bring. We assess the walls, roof, floors, windows, doors, and the plumbing and electrical systems where these are visible.

We pay close attention to movement or subsidence, which can affect properties on the Cleveland hillsides, as well as damp and rot, both common concerns in older coastal homes, and faults in the building envelope that may cause bigger trouble later on. Our surveyors check roof coverings, look at foundations and sub-floor areas where accessible, and consider the property's overall structural integrity. On newer schemes, including those along Longbeck Road, we also focus on build quality and snagging issues that can easily escape an untrained eye.

Living by the coast in Marske-by-the-Sea brings extra wear. Salt air can speed up weathering on outside surfaces, especially on rendered homes and properties with metal fixtures. Our surveyors know what the early signs of salt crystallisation and corrosion look like in coastal areas, so you have a clear view of any maintenance likely to be needed before it turns into an expensive problem. We also look for penetrating damp, a particular concern in older homes exposed to driving rain off the North Sea.

The RICS Level 2 report sets everything out with a simple traffic light system, green for no repair needed, amber for repairs recommended, and red for urgent repairs needing immediate attention. That makes it much easier to see what should be tackled first and what maintenance may lie ahead. The report also gives you a market valuation and an insurance reinstatement figure, both of which are useful for mortgage purposes and for checking that your cover is adequate.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof structure and coverings
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Damp and moisture assessment
• Electrical and plumbing visible parts
• Boundaries and external areas

Marske-by-the-Sea has had substantial new housing development in recent years, especially along Longbeck Road, where Beaconfield Rise, Marske Sands, and other new estates have added hundreds of properties to the village. Even with warranties such as NHBC in place, these new build homes can still benefit greatly from an independent RICS Level 2 survey. Our surveyors regularly pick up defects that are not obvious at first glance, particularly when buyers are caught up in the excitement of a new home purchase.

At Beaconfield Rise, snagging is one of the things we most often find, the sort of minor defects builders should put right before completion but sometimes miss. With homes such as The Beechford (from £395,000), The Denwood (from £380,000), and The Sandalwood (from £410,000), buyers are making substantial investments, so our survey checks that the finish matches the price being paid. The same goes for Marske Sands and other developments along Longbeck Road, where we inspect everything from window seals and door alignments to insulation and damp-proofing courses.

There is a clear advantage in arranging a survey on a new build before the warranty period runs out. Any defects we identify can be recorded and put to the developer for correction under their obligations. Many buyers have saved thousands of pounds by catching issues early, before those faults became their responsibility once the snagging period had ended. We usually suggest booking as close to legal completion as possible to make the most of the warranty protection available.

The Marske-by-the-Sea market has moved around in interesting ways in recent years. homedata.co.uk shows a 4.01% increase in property values over the 12 months leading to March 2024. At the same time, home.co.uk listings data indicates that overall sold prices were 5% down on the previous year, with approximately 80 residential sales completed in the last 12 months, a decrease of nearly 49% compared to the previous year. That sort of fluctuation is exactly why independent professional advice matters before you commit.

Buying here is a serious financial commitment, whether the property is a semi-detached home in one of the popular residential areas or a detached house on a newer development. Detached properties average around £274,000, while terraced homes sit at approximately £159,000. A Level 2 survey from us helps you understand the real condition of that investment. It can give you confidence to go ahead, or the evidence needed to renegotiate the price if significant defects come to light.

Because Marske-by-the-Sea is on the coast, homes here can face particular problems linked to moisture, salt air exposure, and general weathering. In older properties, that wear is not always obvious during an ordinary viewing. Our surveyors know the signs to look for and will flag any concerns in the report, so you can move towards completion with a fuller picture of what you are buying.

Properties in Marske-by-the-Sea sit on the North East coast, so the elements tend to have more impact than they do inland. Wind, rain, and salt air together can speed up the deterioration of external surfaces, especially rendered walls and timber features. That is one reason our surveyors look so carefully for the early indicators of weather-related damage. Spotting it early can make future maintenance far easier to plan for.

Over years of surveying in Marske-by-the-Sea, we have seen several issues come up again and again. Damp and moisture penetration are high on that list, particularly in older homes that may have faced years of North Sea weather. Our surveyors are trained to spot the obvious signs, but also the subtler clues that can point to underlying moisture problems.

Some properties on the Cleveland hillsides, which include parts of Marske-by-the-Sea, can occasionally show movement or subsidence linked to the local geology. It is not common, but we always inspect foundations and structural walls for cracks or other signs that could indicate ground instability. We also check drainage and the state of soakaways, which matter particularly in places with clay soils prone to shrink-swell movements.

On newer developments such as Beaconfield Rise and Marske Sands, we regularly find snagging issues that builders should resolve before completion. Poorly sealed windows, minor cracks in plasterwork, and door alignment problems are all examples. These are not usually structural concerns, but they can still be frustrating for buyers of a new home, which is why it is best to identify them early and have them rectified under the developer's warranty.