THROUGH
buyers’eyes Home inspections are a vital part of the real estate transaction process. If there’s one thing to remember, it is that there’s more to a home than its interior design. Try not to let the stunning dining setting, the magnificent Persian rug or the massive wall-mounted screen influence your decision too much. Most homes are staged to some degree either by the seller or a professional property stylist. The contemporary furniture, art and accessories won’t be staying once the property is yours, so look beyond the cosmetics. Do a little research about the suburb and where the property is located before you go to the open inspection. Then go in with your eyes open and a system for recording what you see. You can really learn a lot about a house just by looking at it. Before you call in the professionals, make sure you do your own home inspection and note any possible issues. Look at walls and ceilings for any evidence of water damage. Check that the electrical layout makes sense and try the light switches and power outlets where you can.
Tips and etiquette Dress for comfort - Wear comfortable gear and be prepared to have to remove your shoes at the front door in some cases. Definitely ditch the heels! Ask permission - Ask permission before you take photos or videos. Avoid the need to use the bathroom, but if you ‘get caught short’, ask permission first.
Give feedback - The agent will seek constructive feedback to pass on to the seller. However, don’t be voicing your opinions out loud. And the homeowner’s taste in décor has little to do with you. If you don’t have anything nice to say, perhaps it’s better not to say anything at all.
Make it virtual Virtual inspections offer a 360-degree view of every space, which feels almost like you are standing in the room. While you may not be able to see all the property’s quirks and qualities as you might do if you were there in person, hopefully you are able to follow up the virtual with an agent and a private inspection.
Be respectful - Sellers generally leave the property while the open inspection is on to make potential buyers feel more at ease. Checking for the amount of storage is fine but their absence doesn’t give you permission to check out personal belongings. The contents of the medicine cabinet are hardly relevant!
If reasons prevent you from inspecting in person, engaging an inspector provides a professional pair of eyes, or simply have a trusted person acting on your behalf. As great as the virtual tools are, you will get peace of mind from the fact that someone visited the property and looked for any expensive pitfalls and put their hands on the things you’ll rely on to stay warm, get water and prepare your food.
Focus on the property itself Usually, a property description sheet will be available, with often a floor plan and dimensions. Take measurements if you need to. Look for cosmetic cover-ups of underlying problems, such as a partially patched or repaired floor or only part of a wall freshly painted. These are something for a building inspector to take a closer look at. Check for water stains, corrosion, mould and saggy ceilings. Give the roof your attention. Take down notes and check off things as you walk through the house.
Perhaps some elements of home inspections may be done virtually in the future. With drones, crawlbots and smart home technology, there is plenty of scope for innovation in parts of the inspection. Perhaps data will be securely downloaded, either remotely or on premises, to get digital maintenance records from key components in the home such as air-conditioning systems, water heaters and solar power systems. The property inspection industry is likely to grow alongside smart home technology.
Look in the switchboard for anything out of the ordinary. Look for drainage issues. Your aim is to pass on anything you’ve noticed so the professionals can take a closer look. Keep in mind the purpose of a home inspection is to identify major structural, mechanical, or safety defects rather than a bargaining point with the seller. Professional house inspections will provide you with an independent, thorough appraisal of all reasonably accessible parts of the building by experienced and qualified building and pest experts along with detailed building and pest inspection reports that fully comply with the relevant Australian Standards.
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