Buying a new home is a big investment. Knowing the condition of your investment is critical. Below is a list of items which should be checked prior to signing the contract of sale. They are:
Structural Issues
Purchasing a structurally sound building is essential when you’re making a new home purchase because of immediate safety concerns and cost issues down the track. You will also need to know if the home is habitable.
Structural weaknesses can cause collapses or damage / structural failure that may injure a person, but there’s also the likely possibility that the structural issue will be nearly impossible to repair without extensive reconstruction work. For this reason it is important you know of any potential structural issues prior to purchasing the house. Structural components can often become compromised during renovations or from age. The most significant area is normally the roof frame which should be inspected very closely for signs of deflection, crippled (or cut for airconditioning and the like) ceiling joists etc..
Check Maintenance Issues so that you can Budget for Repairs & Negotiate
You may or may not know that the building needs some repairs as evident by damaged gutters or peeling paint but you may not know the extent of the repairs required and a close inspection will allow you to know if the bubbling paint in the hallway is from something more serious which requires more than just a coat of paint. A damp or mouldy spot, loose tiles or bubbling paint can indicate serious and costly issues.
Check for RCD's and Smoke Alarms
All new homes, homes that are to be rented, sold or leased require hard wired smoke alarms and RCD's to be fitted according to number and location of bedrooms, hallways, purpose of the building and size of the residence, Hard wired smoke alarms and RCD's are a legislative requirement and the seller is responsible to install them prior to sale.
Identify any Unsafe Areas
If you’re buying a home for your family, you want to be sure the home is safe and ready for you to live in. Poor ballustrading, broken asbestos, rotated fencing, loose electrical wiring & fixings as well trip hazards from uneven paving are common in buildings and should be identified prior to moving your family into the house to keep them safe.
