Your Pre-Property Purchase Inspection Checklist

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Purchasing a new home is an exhilarating experience, but it’s also a wide-open opportunity to end up with a home riddled with unforeseen problems. This is why building inspections are not a ‘nice to have’ but rather a necessity for homebuyers, especially first-time homeowners. The following is a brief overview of what a pre-property purchase inspection should include:

  • Personal Inspections

There are dozens of relevant questions that should be answered before deciding on a purchase, many of which can be answered with a simple, preliminary pre-purchase inspection. For example, what is the water pressure in your neighbourhood? Is the neighbourhood safe or has it experienced burglaries in recent years? Is noise a concern?

Many of these considerations can be addressed by visiting the property yourself, but many require thorough research and a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified building inspector.

  • Building Inspection

Once the above basic questions have been answered to your satisfaction, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of building inspection. Carpenters and homebuilders aren’t all cut from the same cloth, with many faulty construction techniques or material use being invisible to the naked eye.

This is why it’s useful to have a building inspector on hand, but it’s even better if the said inspector has worked as a carpenter in the past since they know what to look for and are aware of current and acceptable building practices.

  • Pest Inspection

Termites and rodents can quickly turn even the most beautiful home into an unsightly and potentially unsafe mess in short order, so ensure that your building inspection includes a pest inspection as well. This can help you take action to reduce the chances of pests from entering the home and causing damage to timber frames, for example.

  • Surveyor’s Report

Your property doesn’t necessarily end where your lawn meets the neighbour’s. If you plan to do any work on your property, it’s obviously important that you do so on property that is legally yours. Cadastre and property limits can be determined by a qualified land surveyor, which can point out easements and give you the legal understanding of exactly where your property line ends and your neighbour’s begins.

  • Swimming Pool Inspection

If your home came with a swimming pool or you’re planning to have one installed in the future, it’s important that you have a swimming pool inspection completed. This will outline where and how the swimming pool can be constructed and ensure that your swimming pool is compliant with state legislation in Victoria for the construction of not only swimming pools but also surrounding fences and signage, as necessary.

  • Pre-Settlement Inspection

All of the above pre-property inspections above have been completed and you’re ready to move in. Great, but there’s one last step. When it comes to purchasing anything as costly as property, caveat emptor implies that you’re moving into the home you initially contractually purchased and nothing less. In the case of cleanliness, paint, or any interim repairs or maintenance, one last pre-settlement inspection can help you verify that everything you agreed to purchase is as advertised.

Building Property Inspections

One of the most important considerations when buying a new home is peace of mind knowing that what you’ve purchased is what you’re getting. Home inspections in Melbourne can help you with all of your pre-purchase inspections and give you peace of mind and confidence for your dream home in Melbourne and surrounding communities.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Croydon, building inspections in Eltham, building inspections in Endeavour Hills, or property inspections in Preston, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.