One of the most time consuming parts of finding a new home is narrowing down your list of options. A good way to do that is by conducting your own mini inspection on any home you're thinking about buying. There are a few prime things to look for when buying a new home that can help you eliminate obvious bad choices right off the bat.
It is important to note through that professional Brisbane building inspectors should be called in before a property contract is finalised, however in the interim you can take a cursory look at a property to decide if it's worth your while; some things to look for are highlighted below.
When Inspecting A Potential Property:
==> Look for signs of termites in sleeper retaining walls; be especially diligent with hardwood retaining walls.
==> Check the weep holes in brick homes to make sure they aren't covered up, and that they are well above ground - they are a very common place for termites to get into a home.
==> Inspect the fascia lines of the roof for any noticeable bowing or distortion.
==> With brick homes, look out for evidence of excessive cracking, which can signify major structural problems.
==> Take a look at the shower inside; be sure that it isn't leaking, as that is costly to repair.
==> Look for damp spots on the carpets inside, and for stains in the rooms near the shower.
==> If you can, check out the roof for extremely weathered tiles.
==> With metal roofs, take a close look around for signs of corrosion.
==> Be wary of patch jobs on any kind of roof; it could be the roof is shortly due to be replaced.
==> Take a look at the meter box; double check that there's a safety switch, and look for termite protection notices. Make sure that any termite protection that has been done has been conducted fairly recently - most termite protections last three to five years or so.
==> Be leery of large trees that are quite near the building, as they can cause damage to the foundation and are a perfect termite breeding ground as well.
==> Figure out roughly where rain runs off to - are there spots where water might pool up? Foundation earth can become unstable if water is able to pool up nearby.
==> Watch out for gardens planted quite near the home, as they can encourage the presence of termites.
==> Inside the home, run the taps to see what kind of water pressure they have. Keep a close eye out for rust coloured water, too.
==> Check the water heater to see what its date of manufacture is; these can be an unpleasant surprise to have to replace soon after moving in.
Remember that a quick inspection of your own still can't be considered a suitable substitute for professional building and pest inspection. It simply is a guide to assist you in the property selection process. Once you find a suitable property (one that satisfies the above criteria), be sure to arrange a Brisbane building inspection service to confirm that your future home will be free of any unexpected surprises.
