Time to contribute to this forum which has given me quite a bit of knowledge.
Well here is my check list. Obiviously you can ask questions based on ur observations from this one. I found this check list in a news article and I take a print out of it with me with space to make notes.
BTW Feel free to add to this checklist.
-----------------------------
Inside the dwelling:
Water pressure: Turn on the taps in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Check the pressure and colour of the water and how well it drains.
Damp: Check for stains, water marks and paint damage. Sellers will sometimes paint over damp to hide it, so use your sense of smell.
Cracks in the walls, or doors that stick: These can be signs of subsidence or movement. If the damage is severe, it may indicate a big problem that would cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Sticking windows: If windows don't open and close properly, the frames may have warped (if they're wood) or rusted (if they're metal). New paint jobs can hide both. You can tell if wood is going to rot by pressing it with your finger - if it's soft, there's a problem.
Mould: If there's mould in the bathroom, it's usually a sign that there's a ventilation problem that needs to be fixed. In addition, you'll need to re-grout and repaint.
New paint: Paint is often used to hide faults. Run your hands over the walls and look at them from different angles to see if you can find any problems.
Bathroom: Check for damaged enamel and broken surfaces. Loose grout and cracked or lifting tiles can be signs of water damage. Check the plumbing and pipes for leaks.
Hot-water service: Ask about the age of the unit and how well it performs. Check for leaks and rust and ask when it was last serviced.
Insulation: If you can, look through the manhole into the roof to check the age and condition of the insulation and ask whether the walls are insulated.
Pests: Look for signs of pest trouble, such as rat or mousetraps or poisons. Sagging floors, springy floors and steps, as well as hollow-sounding beams, can all be signs of termite damage. If you're serious about buying a property, you should think about getting a professional pest inspection.
Electrical wiring: Old-fashioned switches and sockets can be signs of old wiring that could need replacing.
Heating and cooling systems: Inquire about the age of the units, their service records and whether they are running well.
Floor coverings: Check the carpets for wear and tear and decide whether they'll need replacing. Lift any rugs to make sure they're not covering any damage.
Fly screens: Make sure fly screens are fitted where necessary and aren't damaged. They can be surprisingly expensive to replace.
Kitchen and laundry: Check the age and quality of the benchtops and cupboards and make sure there's room to accommodate all your appliances.
Decor: Changing the wallpaper or repainting is simple to do but can be expensive, especially if you hire someone to do it. Consider how much work needs to be done.
Renovations: If you're planning to renovate, it pays to go a step further and check the ease with which tiles can be lifted and carpets removed. If you can, and it's safe to do so, get under the house to see if floorboards can be polished or whether they need replacing. Check the quality of the fixtures and fittings to see what needs to be updated or restored. Think about how much work the kitchen and bathrooms will need.
Room layout: Make sure there are the right number of rooms in the right places, as well as sufficient storage to meet your needs.
Power points: Check that there are enough points in the right places and think about whether you'll need to add more.
Furnishings: If you already have furniture, think about how it will fit with the property, whether you'll need to replace it and how much additional furniture you'll need.
Outside the dwelling
Orientation: Check which direction the house faces and whether the living areas will be too hot or cold.
Plumbing: Check the external pipes for leaks and rust.
Fuse box: Make sure it's modern and meets safety requirements. If you have doubts, get an electrician to check the box and the house wiring before you buy.
Guttering: Look for leaks, rust, warps, holes and signs that the gutters overflow. Think about whether the leaves from nearby trees will cause problems. Check whether the downpipes and drainage are in order and fixed well to the stormwater drain.
Asbestos: Ask whether and where asbestos has been used. Most often, it's found in walls, roofing and fencing. It is always best to have asbestos assessed and removed professionally. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause serious health problems so if in doubt, bring in an expert.
Roof: Check for missing, cracked or sliding tiles. A sagging or undulating roof can be a sign of underlying structural issues.
General appearance: Check the overall state of the building and look for damaged windows, cracks in the brickwork or cement work and whether it needs a new coat of paint.
Extensions: Check the quality of the workmanship on any extensions and ask to see the council approvals.
Termites: Ask whether the area is prone to termites or other insects and double-check what you are told with the local council. Check for termite damage wherever any wood touches the ground, such as along side walls, pergolas and decking.
Surrounding land and structures
Trees: Trees nearing the end of their lives can pose a danger and be quite expensive to remove. Check the age, condition and type of trees in the garden and check whether any trees - including those owned by the neighbours - have the potential to damage your property by falling down or dropping branches.
Garden: Check the general condition of the garden and consider how much work will be required to maintain or improve what's there. Check whether there are sufficient taps for watering and whether the garden's size and shape will meet your needs.
Privacy: If the property is overlooked by neighbouring houses, it can affect your enjoyment of your outside spaces. If the neighbours can see in, think about whether screens, fences or high-growing plants or trees might fix the problem.
Fencing: Check the fences and gates for damage. If repairs are needed, find out what your share of the cost will be.
External structures: Check carports, sheds, pergolas and decking to make sure they are stable and in good condition.
Pools and spas: Look for cracks or bulges in pool bottoms and sides and check lighting, filtration and heating systems. Check for evidence of leaks or repairs and the condition of the surrounding paving. Ask for evidence of any maintenance and servicing. Pool repairs can be expensive, so bring in an expert if you have any concerns.
Drainage: Wet or muddy patches in the garden can indicate poor drainage. Check for water damage on both the main property and any surrounding structures. These checks are imperative if the block of land slopes or is at the base of a hill.
Insider's tip: It is often difficult to get approval from the local council to remove trees, something that can affect your landscaping and renovation plans.
After your inspection, reflect for a moment on what you've discovered. Document your findings and estimate how much any repairs will cost. Weigh up whether the costs outweigh the benefits of buying the property.
If you still want to proceed with the purchase, it's time to bring in the experts.
Well here is my check list. Obiviously you can ask questions based on ur observations from this one. I found this check list in a news article and I take a print out of it with me with space to make notes.
BTW Feel free to add to this checklist.
-----------------------------
Inside the dwelling:
Water pressure: Turn on the taps in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Check the pressure and colour of the water and how well it drains.
Damp: Check for stains, water marks and paint damage. Sellers will sometimes paint over damp to hide it, so use your sense of smell.
Cracks in the walls, or doors that stick: These can be signs of subsidence or movement. If the damage is severe, it may indicate a big problem that would cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Sticking windows: If windows don't open and close properly, the frames may have warped (if they're wood) or rusted (if they're metal). New paint jobs can hide both. You can tell if wood is going to rot by pressing it with your finger - if it's soft, there's a problem.
Mould: If there's mould in the bathroom, it's usually a sign that there's a ventilation problem that needs to be fixed. In addition, you'll need to re-grout and repaint.
New paint: Paint is often used to hide faults. Run your hands over the walls and look at them from different angles to see if you can find any problems.
Bathroom: Check for damaged enamel and broken surfaces. Loose grout and cracked or lifting tiles can be signs of water damage. Check the plumbing and pipes for leaks.
Hot-water service: Ask about the age of the unit and how well it performs. Check for leaks and rust and ask when it was last serviced.
Insulation: If you can, look through the manhole into the roof to check the age and condition of the insulation and ask whether the walls are insulated.
Pests: Look for signs of pest trouble, such as rat or mousetraps or poisons. Sagging floors, springy floors and steps, as well as hollow-sounding beams, can all be signs of termite damage. If you're serious about buying a property, you should think about getting a professional pest inspection.
Electrical wiring: Old-fashioned switches and sockets can be signs of old wiring that could need replacing.
Heating and cooling systems: Inquire about the age of the units, their service records and whether they are running well.
Floor coverings: Check the carpets for wear and tear and decide whether they'll need replacing. Lift any rugs to make sure they're not covering any damage.
Fly screens: Make sure fly screens are fitted where necessary and aren't damaged. They can be surprisingly expensive to replace.
Kitchen and laundry: Check the age and quality of the benchtops and cupboards and make sure there's room to accommodate all your appliances.
Decor: Changing the wallpaper or repainting is simple to do but can be expensive, especially if you hire someone to do it. Consider how much work needs to be done.
Renovations: If you're planning to renovate, it pays to go a step further and check the ease with which tiles can be lifted and carpets removed. If you can, and it's safe to do so, get under the house to see if floorboards can be polished or whether they need replacing. Check the quality of the fixtures and fittings to see what needs to be updated or restored. Think about how much work the kitchen and bathrooms will need.
Room layout: Make sure there are the right number of rooms in the right places, as well as sufficient storage to meet your needs.
Power points: Check that there are enough points in the right places and think about whether you'll need to add more.
Furnishings: If you already have furniture, think about how it will fit with the property, whether you'll need to replace it and how much additional furniture you'll need.
Outside the dwelling
Orientation: Check which direction the house faces and whether the living areas will be too hot or cold.
Plumbing: Check the external pipes for leaks and rust.
Fuse box: Make sure it's modern and meets safety requirements. If you have doubts, get an electrician to check the box and the house wiring before you buy.
Guttering: Look for leaks, rust, warps, holes and signs that the gutters overflow. Think about whether the leaves from nearby trees will cause problems. Check whether the downpipes and drainage are in order and fixed well to the stormwater drain.
Asbestos: Ask whether and where asbestos has been used. Most often, it's found in walls, roofing and fencing. It is always best to have asbestos assessed and removed professionally. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause serious health problems so if in doubt, bring in an expert.
Roof: Check for missing, cracked or sliding tiles. A sagging or undulating roof can be a sign of underlying structural issues.
General appearance: Check the overall state of the building and look for damaged windows, cracks in the brickwork or cement work and whether it needs a new coat of paint.
Extensions: Check the quality of the workmanship on any extensions and ask to see the council approvals.
Termites: Ask whether the area is prone to termites or other insects and double-check what you are told with the local council. Check for termite damage wherever any wood touches the ground, such as along side walls, pergolas and decking.
Surrounding land and structures
Trees: Trees nearing the end of their lives can pose a danger and be quite expensive to remove. Check the age, condition and type of trees in the garden and check whether any trees - including those owned by the neighbours - have the potential to damage your property by falling down or dropping branches.
Garden: Check the general condition of the garden and consider how much work will be required to maintain or improve what's there. Check whether there are sufficient taps for watering and whether the garden's size and shape will meet your needs.
Privacy: If the property is overlooked by neighbouring houses, it can affect your enjoyment of your outside spaces. If the neighbours can see in, think about whether screens, fences or high-growing plants or trees might fix the problem.
Fencing: Check the fences and gates for damage. If repairs are needed, find out what your share of the cost will be.
External structures: Check carports, sheds, pergolas and decking to make sure they are stable and in good condition.
Pools and spas: Look for cracks or bulges in pool bottoms and sides and check lighting, filtration and heating systems. Check for evidence of leaks or repairs and the condition of the surrounding paving. Ask for evidence of any maintenance and servicing. Pool repairs can be expensive, so bring in an expert if you have any concerns.
Drainage: Wet or muddy patches in the garden can indicate poor drainage. Check for water damage on both the main property and any surrounding structures. These checks are imperative if the block of land slopes or is at the base of a hill.
Insider's tip: It is often difficult to get approval from the local council to remove trees, something that can affect your landscaping and renovation plans.
After your inspection, reflect for a moment on what you've discovered. Document your findings and estimate how much any repairs will cost. Weigh up whether the costs outweigh the benefits of buying the property.
If you still want to proceed with the purchase, it's time to bring in the experts.
