Your Quick Guide to House Inspections

1. YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO HOUSE INSPECTION When looking for properties for sale in Blairgowrie or the surrounding areas, you’re likely to be going to a lot of house inspections. inspecting the property the right way? Buying a house is likely going to be the biggest financial decision you ever have to make, and having to make a decision with a short 15-minute inspection is too daunting to think about. This is why it is so important to hire a pest and building inspector to assess the condition of the house before signing the property papers. But are you While you should limit your first inspection to checking the layout, potential for renovations, direction of the house, age and style of the property, it is usually the second inspection where you can dig a little deeper. Before you go ahead with making an offer, you can look for the following tell-tale signs in your open house inspection to ensure you’re making the right decision: SIGNSOFWATERDAMAGE It is often quite easy to see signs of water damage, but a sneaky home seller may try to hide it. The very first indication is a musty, damp smell in the house, inside cupboards and cabinets. Other signs include water stains on ceilings or walls, signs of rotting on floorboards and skirtings or indications of mould. While the mould may have been removed prior to an inspection, it often leaves stains behind, which can be a good indicator that the house is prone to moisture penetration and water leaks. SAGGINGCEILINGS The next time you go to a home inspection, take a torch with you and shine it on the ceilings. This will quite literally shine light on any defects in the ceiling, such as cracks, water seepage as well as sagging ceilings. WATERPRESSUREANDDRAINAGE Turn on a tap and assess the flow of water. If the water pressure is too low, it could either be a sign of plumbing issues or a blocked pipe. Either way, it is worth bringing up with the agent. Also try and turn on the shower and see if water collects at the base. This may be another sign of poor drainage. NOISELEVELS The amount of noise in the neighbourhood, especially if a house is located near a train station or an airport can disrupt your daily life. If possible, book your second inspection at a different time of day from the first to see what the noise levels are like at different times. EXTERNALROOFTILESANDGUTTERS Cracked or broken roof tiles may require costly roof repairs and replacements, as would replacing the gutters if they happen to be corroded. Cracks in gutters can allow water to seep through your walls, damaging them in the long run. PAINTWORK Bubbling or blisters on the paint is often an indication of termite activity within the walls. If the house seems to have recently been painted, it could be hiding cracks or water damage behind it. FLOORING Be on the lookout for any creaking, warped or uneven floorboards. There can be several reasons for a floorboard to get damaged, including water seepage, pest activity and shoddy workmanship. WINDOWSANDDOORS Do all the doors and windows in the house close securely? Do they offer proper insulation or is there a draught in the room even with them closed? Do the doors or windows seem to get stuck when you try to open or close them? RECENTRENOVATIONS If the house has recently been renovated or upgraded, check if all the necessary council permits and licences were obtained. Any illegal upgrades will become your problem once the property papers are signed. ACCESSIBILITY Is there a designated parking space for your car or a garage? Are there internal stairs to connect different parts of a house? If the property you’re interested in has a large backyard, is there any way for a small truck or car to make it back there for landscaping purposes? While these tips can help you assess if a property is worth buying, it is always best to have professional pest and building inspectors inspect the area before buying a property for sale in Blairgowrie or anywhere else in Victoria. You don’t want to open yourself up to expensive repairs in the future! Source: https://www.stockdaleleggo.com.au/blairgowrie