Top 5 things to do when inspecting a potential home

If you’re looking to buy a potential home, there’s no doubt you already have a shortlist of prospective properties. The next step is to attend the open house inspection. This is an essential part of the process in the search for the perfect home, and it’s important that you do it properly. We’ve got the top 5 things you should do when inspecting a potential home:

Keep an eye out for potential problems

If you enter the inspection and simply look at the house layout and features, you’re not doing it properly! You need to have a keen eye for any potential problems with the property that may cost a pretty penny down the track. Make sure the lights turn on and off without flickering, look for signs of water damage or mould, and ensure that the ceilings are not sagging.

Check the taps

Check all taps – the multiple sinks (bathroom, kitchen and laundry), the bathtub and showers, and the ones located outside. Make sure they all work and that the water flow is adequate – especially in the bathroom – there’s nothing worse than moving into a new place with terrible water pressure in the shower!

Find out the distance to key amenities

Whether you’re purchasing the place to live in yourself, or as an investment property, it is important to find out how far it is from key amenities, such as public transport, shopping centres, or schools. If you decide to rent out or sell the property in the future, potential tenants and/or buyers will be more drawn to a place with easy access to these places.

Ask to see it again at night

A potential home may look great in the light of day, but completely different under the dark cover of night! Ask the agent if it would be possible for another inspection during the evening hours so you can check the street lighting in the neighbourhood as well as the lighting in the home. You may find that there aren’t enough lights in the house, or the lighting itself may be dull.

Have a chat to the neighbours

When you head to the inspection, keep an eye out for curious neighbours so you can ask the questions that the agent may not be willing to answer. Remember, your potential new neighbours aren’t trying to sell you the place, so they’re more likely to be honest with their answers. They also live in the neighbourhood themselves, so they are well-informed about living in the area!