When a Property Survey Is Actually a Deal Breaker

AD | This season of Golden Nuggets: Movers & Shakers is supported by Rightmove A bad property survey can make even the most committed buyer question everything. But when is a survey genuinely telling you to walk away — and when is it simply flagging an issue that can be investigated, managed or renegotiated? In this episode of Golden Nuggets: Movers & Shakers, Silvia Eldawi sits down with Liana Loporto-Browne, Managing Director of Loporto Browne Residential, to unpack some of the findings that can make buyers panic. From damp, subsidence and Japanese knotweed to woodworm, down valuations and structural issues, Liana explains why the first response shouldn’t always be fear — and why understanding the scale of the problem matters. They also discuss how buyers can approach renegotiation after a survey and the point at which independent professional advice should outweigh the desire to keep a purchase alive. 🎙️ WHAT WE COVER • Why property surveys can look terrifying • Which findings shouldn’t automatically make you panic • Damp and when to bring in a specialist • Subsidence and why context matters • Japanese knotweed and treatment plans • Woodworm in older properties • What a down valuation means • When a second valuation may differ • How to renegotiate after a bad survey • When it may genuinely be time to walk away 👀 WHO IS THIS FOR? Home buyers, sellers, first-time buyers and movers trying to understand what a property survey is actually telling them — plus estate agents helping clients navigate a difficult survey. 💡 GOLDEN NUGGET “If your surveyor and lawyer are telling you to walk away from a bad survey, you walk away.” ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Why property surveys can feel terrifying 00:48 Rightmove supports this season 01:21 When should a bad survey stop you buying? 03:07 Damp: don’t immediately panic 04:14 Subsidence: how serious is it? 05:01 Japanese knotweed 06:12 Woodworm and scary survey language 07:00 What is a down valuation? 08:36 Which findings should really worry you? 10:00 Can you renegotiate after a bad survey? 11:23 When should you walk away? 12:06 Golden Nugget and close 🤝 MORE FROM RIGHTMOVE AD | Unlock more opportunities with Rightmove: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/maximising-your-opportunity Discover more ways Rightmove are championing agents: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/share-your-expertise/ 👤 ABOUT LIANA LOPORTO-BROWNE Liana Loporto-Browne, Managing Director, Loporto Browne Residential (London) Liana draws on her experience working with buyers and sellers to explore how property surveys affect transactions, why certain findings cause buyers to panic and how agents can help people navigate the next conversation. 🔗 FOLLOW SILVIA ELDAWI Website: https://propologi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviaeldawi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silviaeldawi/ ▶️ WATCH NEXT Watch the complete Golden Nuggets: Movers & Shakers series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfgAOYYBteUk 💬 VIEWS & OPINIONS The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Rightmove. This content is provided for general information and discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional, legal, financial or property advice.