Buying a House? Don’t Miss These Red Flags at your Next Property Inspection

If you’re house hunting, property inspections can be exhausting, and deflating if you open the door of the property to discover it isn’t what you hoped it would be. It’s important to know what to look out for during property inspections to save time and to ensure that when you finally buy a home, you’re not going to get a nasty surprise down the track. Here’s some ideas for what to watch out for during your next property inspection.

Each year around half a million properties are sold across Australia. Part of the process of buying a property is making thorough property inspections. Even if the property you’re considering is brand new there are still things to watch out for. Always seek expert advice if you’re getting serious about buying a property and ask lots of questions. Unless you have a background in construction, it’s probably worth hiring a building inspector to check the property, but here are some things that might indicate a red flag:

Don’t be tricked by clever lighting

Make sure you’ve considered how the property will look and feel relying only on natural light. Most of the time the real estate agent will choose to open the home at a time of day when there is maximum natural light and they will usually make sure every light in the house is on. This can trick a visitor into thinking that the house is lighter and brighter than it really is.

Don’t forget to check for easements

Easements are a legal right for someone to have limited access to your land. Typically, this would be to allow access to services such as water pipes or electricity metres, or else to allow neighbour to use a shared driveway. It’s important be aware of easements in case it affects your plans for the property. Check with your property conveyancer whether there are any easements and, if so, how it could affect how you use the land. Don’t have a property conveyancer? Jim’s Property Conveyancing has branches in Melbourne and Brisbane. Phone 13 15 46 for more information.

Watch out for any indications of water damage

Water damage can cause significant and costly problems in a property, so it’s crucial to know how to spot an indicator that there has been water damage at a house. Water damage can cause structural issues in serious cases or dangerous mould growth. Look close at the interior walls, inside cupboards and on ceilings during a property inspection, particularly in the bathrooms for any signs of water damage. Mould and damp smells can be an indicator of water damage. If you suspect there is water damage query this with the real estate agent or a building inspector.

Be wary of large cracks in walls and ceilings

If the property that you’re inspecting is an older home, you may notice cracks in walls and ceilings. This is not necessary a reason to panic, but any cracks larger than 2mm in width should be inspected by a building professional to ensure that they don’t represent significant structural damage or issues with the foundation of the building.

Always check electrical fixtures, locks and taps at a property

Don’t assume that lights, fans, heaters, air-conditioning units, and ovens are in perfect working order. It is always worth checking for yourself that any fixtures or fittings that will be sold with the property are in good working order. This includes window and door locks, doorbells, as well as any taps and toilets.

Always ask an expert if you’re not sure

The way a house is styled and presented can be very persuasive during a house inspection, so if you’re getting serious about making an offer on a house it is always worth getting expert advice. Consider arranging a building and or pest inspector, land surveyor, and when it comes to the legal side of buying a home, enlist the help of a reliable property conveyancer, such as Jim’s Property Conveyancing in Melbourne or Jim’s Property Conveyancing in Brisbane, phone 13 15 46 to learn more.