Home Hints - Things You Need To Look Out For Before Buying Your Home -

When you have decided on a house you need to take a good look at it and make sure that you are going to be buying it in a reasonable condition (do a building inspection) – this is where every dollar counts because there are some things that can be a disaster for you and cost you thousands if you do not look into them properly. If there is anything wrong with the property it is always a good idea to know what it is before you go into putting offers in. You will need to budget for these other things into the amount you can afford for the house. For example if it needs a new roof you should not pay a rice for the property that is assuming it has a good roof.

Here are things to look for:

Structural
Floors	Are the floors uneven or do they move when you walk around (try jumping up and down)? It could mean problems with the piles. Check for rot and borer holes. Are the floors spongy or damp?
Walls and ceilings	Look out for rust or other stains, mould, bulges and cracks that could indicate leaks or that a house that is sinking. Check for fresh paint and plaster that could be a cover-up. Are walls and ceilings insulated?
Doors and windows	Check they open without sticking, that handles and locks work (and have keys). Sticking or crooked windows and doors can mean a home is moving. Check woodwork for rot and borer. Check rubber seals on aluminium doors are not perished.
Under the house	Look for signs of dampness, leaks, borer, pests, gaps or rot in floorboards, cracks in the foundations, rotten or sinking piles. Is there good ventilation to keep it dry? Test wooden piles below ground level for soft rot.
Inside the roof	Look for leaks, holes, sagging roof, cracks in the chimney, bird nests. Check for insulation.
Living areas
Light	Is there enough natural light? Do skylights open?
Gas	Are the flames strong? Turn all outlets on at once to check flow – if the flames are weak there could be a blockage. Gas fires need to be vented to the outside to prevent condensation.
Power	Are fittings, switches and sockets in good repair? Are there enough power points and lights? Is the switchboard old?
Fireplace	Does it work? Is the chimney old or cracked? Is there a permit? Black stains above the fire can mean it’s not working well.
Central heating	Does it work? Ask to test it. Ideally there should be outlets in most rooms, and several controls around the home.
Fittings and chattels	What chattels are included in the sale? Are carpets, curtains, lights, heaters, dishwasher and so on in good order?
Flooring	Check under furniture for worn or stained patches.
TV	Is there an aerial? Is the reception good?
Kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms
Water	Check all taps work – turn them all on at once to test pressure. Is there plenty of hot water? Is the tank insulated and restrained?
Fans	Do they vent to outside? If they don’t, they can cause fires.
Appliances	Do the oven, hobs, dishwasher and rangehood work?
Cupboards and wardrobes	Look inside them. Is there enough storage? Do they open and shut properly? Check for mould and damp smells.
Toilet	Does it flush strongly? Are the bowl and cistern cracked or stained?
Bath, shower and hand basin	Are they in good condition? Check the water pressure and look around them for signs of mildew, leaks or rotting surrounds.

Outside areas
Roof	Check for rust, holes, cracked tiles, signs of leaks.
Outside walls	Check for rotten or broken boards, cracks in plaster, rust or other stains. Is the cladding clear of the ground?
Plaster and paintwork	Is it in good repair? Is it cracked? Look for peeling paint and plaster. But also check new work to make sure it’s not a cover-up job.
Spouting, gutters and flashings	Look for rust, holes, cracks and gaps. Are all doors and windows flashed or sealed to prevent leaking? Check for broken sealants.
Sheds, garages and decks	Are they in good order? Have they been built with permits? If decks or balconies are fully clad, check carefully for signs of leaks or repairs.
Banks	Is there any sign of erosion? Are retaining walls in good condition?
Boundaries	Ask where the boundaries are? Can you see any survey pegs? Are fences in the right place? Is anything over the boundary? If you’re not sure, you could get a plan from the council and measure things out – or get a survey done.
Drainage and flooding	Are there storm water drains? Is the ground boggy? Are there nearby streams or rivers that flood?
Access and driveways	Is there good access to the house? Are steps, paths and drives in good order? If access is shared is it likely to cause problems and who pays for the upkeep?
Other	Is there a washing line? Is there an entry porch? Are fences and railings in good order? Is the soil good? Are the grounds well looked after? Look under and behind big pot plants – they may be a cover-up.
Also think about
Noise and smells	Check for noises from traffic, trains, planes, neighbours, nearby industry. Check for smells from local businesses, waterways or rubbish collection. Visit at different times of the day to check.
Safety, security and fire prevention	Is the access well lit? Is the street lighting good? Check for fire exits – are fire escapes in good order? Are there smoke detectors? Is there a security system? Do all external doors lock? Do all windows fasten securely? Do decks and balconies have secure railings?

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