Inspections

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Question for the yourself

When was the last sale + how much did it sell for?

Don’t want to buy a house that’s losing you money ideally

When was the last sale + how much did it sell for?

Don’t want to buy a house that’s losing you money ideally

You can usually find this by googling the address and seeing the property data on Domain or RealEstate.com.au

Are there any recent sales in close proximity?

Within a few hundred metres with similar land/build quality/floorplan

Are there any recent sales in close proximity?

Within a few hundred metres with similar land/build quality/floorplan

Onethehouse (by CoreLogic) has a good record of recently sale history and data across Australia

Go to Onthehouse.com.au

Onethehouse (by CoreLogic) has a good record of recently sale history and data across Australia

Go to Onthehouse.com.au

Direction of the property

North facing is most desireable for living areas as it gets the most consistent light throughout the day

Direction of the property

North facing is most desireable for living areas as it gets the most consistent light throughout the day

What's nearby?

Do a maps search for nearby schools, transport and distance from amenities by foot, PT and driving

What's nearby?

Do a maps search for nearby schools, transport and distance from amenities by foot, PT and driving

Definitely recommend going for a stroll around the area. Something are apparently on maps but you won't notice until you're physically in the space.

Question for the agent

Why are the owners selling?

Especially if they've only bought recently. Could potentially be due to problems with the house or neighborhood.

Why are the owners selling?

Especially if they've only bought recently. Could potentially be due to problems with the house or neighborhood.

Age of the house

May give an idea of build + what might need fixing soon. It's also worth noting that newer properties typically have a lot of defects too, particularly in waterproofing.

Age of the house

May give an idea of build + what might need fixing soon. It's also worth noting that newer properties typically have a lot of defects too, particularly in waterproofing.

Have there been any modifications or renovations?

If so, when and how large? Cheap renovations can be detrimental in the medium-long term

Have there been any modifications or renovations?

If so, when and how large? Cheap renovations can be detrimental in the medium-long term

Strata (Owners corporation) + council rates

Some strata costs can be very high depending on the lot/apartment amenities

Strata (Owners corporation) + council rates

Some strata costs can be very high depending on the lot/apartment amenities

Are there any structual issues? (Usually for older houses)

Agent will usually tell you if there is or if they've been fixed already

Are there any structual issues? (Usually for older houses)

Agent will usually tell you if there is or if they've been fixed already

What settlement dates is the owner hoping for

If they're after quick settlement, this can be a negotiation tool

What settlement dates is the owner hoping for

If they're after quick settlement, this can be a negotiation tool

If you're interested, ask for the section 32

This is the sale contract and it contains all documents about the building and structural additions, insurance, easements etc.

If you're interested, ask for the section 32

This is the sale contract and it contains all documents about the building and structural additions, insurance, easements etc.

Domain has an article summarising this topic

Go to article

Domain has an article summarising this topic

Go to article

Inspection checklist

Are there any obviously repainted baseboards?

Potential sign of covered water damage

Are there any obviously repainted baseboards?

Potential sign of covered water damage

Is there any crusty carpet, especially around the edges?

Potential sign of covered water damage

Is there any crusty carpet, especially around the edges?

Potential sign of covered water damage

Is there any rotting?

Under sinks or on the walls/baseboards around the bathrooms, laundry and kitchen? Signs of water damage

Is there any rotting?

Under sinks or on the walls/baseboards around the bathrooms, laundry and kitchen? Signs of water damage

Is there any plaster damage? (Yellowing / browning / mould)

Ceilings under bathrooms, walls near any room with water supply. Signs of water damage

Is there any plaster damage? (Yellowing / browning / mould)

Ceilings under bathrooms, walls near any room with water supply. Signs of water damage

Check all doors / windows to see if they open

Nothing jammed or broken

Check all doors / windows to see if they open

Nothing jammed or broken

Turn all the lights off

Lights are often used to hide the poor lighting of a room

Turn all the lights off

Lights are often used to hide the poor lighting of a room

Sound. Especially if close to a main road

Ask the agent to close the door so you can get a feeling

Sound. Especially if close to a main road

Ask the agent to close the door so you can get a feeling

Check lights for flickering

Often just faulty bulb but can be sign of poor electrical work

Check lights for flickering

Often just faulty bulb but can be sign of poor electrical work

Check tap pressure / how quickly water turns hot

Could be build up or a bigger pluimbing issue if these aren't good.

Check tap pressure / how quickly water turns hot

Could be build up or a bigger pluimbing issue if these aren't good.

Look at ceiling and make sure it’s flat.

If there’s a visible dip this is a red flag. Could be a structural problem.

Look at ceiling and make sure it’s flat.

If there’s a visible dip this is a red flag. Could be a structural problem.

Loose / damaged carpet and flooring.

Excessive creaking and unevenless could be signs of structural problems

Loose / damaged carpet and flooring.

Excessive creaking and unevenless could be signs of structural problems

Peeling paint

Could just be wear and tear, but if happening significantly, could also be due to water damage

Peeling paint

Could just be wear and tear, but if happening significantly, could also be due to water damage

Check for mould

In particulr, in the bathrooms. Usually a sign of either poor ventilation, or poor care. Window cils, laundry rooms and edges of carpet are also common spots.

Check for mould

In particulr, in the bathrooms. Usually a sign of either poor ventilation, or poor care. Window cils, laundry rooms and edges of carpet are also common spots.

House access

From garage + back etc. Make sure its convenient so you're not running through rain and bushes to get inside.

House access

From garage + back etc. Make sure its convenient so you're not running through rain and bushes to get inside.

Try look behind the staging furniture

Often staging is used to hide cosmetic problems

Try look behind the staging furniture

Often staging is used to hide cosmetic problems

How does the floor plan feel?

Imagine yourself living in the space and how you'd lay out the rooms

How does the floor plan feel?

Imagine yourself living in the space and how you'd lay out the rooms

Red / yellow flags

Noticeable water damage

This will be very expensive to repair. Could be signs that there’s waterproofing/drainage/pipe/roof problems

Noticeable water damage

This will be very expensive to repair. Could be signs that there’s waterproofing/drainage/pipe/roof problems

Poor DIY project

Big cracks / noticeably uneven floor

Too close to railway line

Some banks are known to be stricter with lending/rates for houses too close + the house will face more cracking and settlement

Too close to railway line

Some banks are known to be stricter with lending/rates for houses too close + the house will face more cracking and settlement

Property has been on market for a long time

There's usually a reason why

Property has been on market for a long time

There's usually a reason why

Abestos

Some older houses contain abestos. While this may not be an immediate concern, if damaged it could cause life threatening effects.

Abestos

Some older houses contain abestos. While this may not be an immediate concern, if damaged it could cause life threatening effects.