Human nature being what it is, it's easy to fall in love with a material object simply due to its outward appearance. For example, you may drive past a potential new home and be smitten by its outstanding curb appeal. However, you've really got to dig deeper and certainly not judge this particular book by its cover. What do you need to be on the lookout for, when you're in the market to buy a property?
Bugs!
In Australia, termites will probably be on the top of any list. You may never have come across these particular bugs before, but their names should strike terror into your heart. Despite their diminutive size, they can invade a home in huge numbers and literally eat away supporting beams, studs, joists and everything else wooden. They can virtually destroy a house in the worst-case scenario, so make sure that you treat them as public enemy number one during property inspections.
Roof Line
Next, have a good look at the roof, as this can be a source of major trouble. How old is the cladding? If it's not that old and your roof is still leaking, it could be an issue with the timber frame itself.
Ceilings and Walls
You can also look for issues along ceilings and walls and pay attention to larger cracks. Certainly, some of these will occur in the normal course of time, but if you can see a pattern of cracks, possibly accompanied by an uneven floor or ceiling, then you need to look into this more.
Listening Carefully
If your potential new home has more than one floor, listen carefully as you walk up the stairs. If you can hear any creaking, especially as you get to the next level, this could indicate an issue with the supporting joists and may have something to do with those termites, again.
Mould and Rot
Be on the lookout for rot in the timber floors or uprights. Often, insufficient ventilation can cause water to sit in place rather than evaporate, and when this happens, mould leads to deterioration.
Windows and Doors
Open each window and door in the building systematically and make sure that they close easily without any obvious issue. Sometimes, the ground underneath the home may shift, affecting the foundation, and while some movement can be expected, major issues need further investigation.
Don't Be Fooled
It's important to look very closely, even though outwardly the home may seem to be perfectly kept, well painted and in good condition. Make sure that you bring in an expert home inspector before you even think about making an offer on that "dream" home.
Share15 February 2018
Buying real estate can be complicated, and that's especially true if you are preparing to buy your first property. Whether you are buying your first home or your first investment property, you probably have a lot of questions along the way, and this blog is designed to help. If you need tips about hiring the right agent, deciding which property is the best, applying for loans or anything else, you have come to the right place. I plan to include posts like that as well as many similar topics. I am glad you find this blog, and thank you for reading. Good luck on your real estate buying experience.