Pre-purchase inspections

Arranging for property and pest inspections before exchanging contracts is a must.

These inspections can save you a lot of time, trouble and expense further down the track, not only will a thorough inspection inform you of a property's condition, it helps allow you to make an informed decision as to whether to purchase the property or not if a severe problem has been detected.

So, before you buy, have a professional inspect the property. There are some minor measures you can carry out yourself, such as switching the lights on and off, flushing toilets, checking for leaky taps and showers etc, by doing this you can reveal any unexpected problems that may prove expensive to fix later on.

It pays to have your pre-purchase inspection carried out by a specialist who will check for things such as:

• Evidence of water entry or mildew;
• Under-floor ventilation;
• Exterior walls for cracks, straightness;
• Timber floors for rot, mould, borers, termites
• Roof condition, guttering, flues, chimneys, flashings;
• Eaves for water staining that may reveal roof or gutter problems;
• Wet or damp areas like bathrooms, showers and laundries for cracks, leaks and mildew;
• Trees that may cause structural damage with their roots

All in all, you can save a lot of time and money, not to mention stress by having a professional inspect prior to purchasing.

It is also a wise idea to inspect the body corporate books if you are considering buying an apartment or unit, this inspection can highlight problems that may otherwise go unnoticed, such as whether there is adequate funds in the sinking fund for future building maintenance, any restrictions on the use of common property, any past insurance issues and even the policy on pets.