Inspecting homes is a significant part of the home buying process but also one that can leave buyers feeling overwhelmed. It’s important to approach the task with a clear understanding of what to look for. Here are our top 4 tips of things to consider when inspecting properties.
1. Does the home meet your most important needs?
Every buyer has different needs and wants. While compromise may be necessary, it’s important not to compromise on the things that will affect your enjoyment of the home daily. So, during your inspection, keep your must-haves top of mind - having a checklist of your non-negotiables is a good idea!
2. Aspect and insulation
If you want to maximise the natural light inside your home, you need to look for two things: the orientation of your key living spaces and the orientation, number and size of windows. You’ll also want to consider how well the home is insulated as this will directly affect your heating and cooling costs.
3. The condition of the home
If you have no appetite for renovating, then a home’s condition is going to be critical in your decision-making. If a property ticks the important boxes of being the right size and floor plan in the right location and is structurally sound, basic upgrades to kitchens and bathrooms, paint and floor coverings, light fittings and cabinet hardware are all achievable.
4. Expensive repairs
While some problems won’t be revealed without a professional pest and building inspection, others are obvious to the naked eye. If you’ve fallen in love with a house and want to establish how big any existing issues are, then the best way to proceed is by ordering a professional pest and building inspection. This will give you a good indication of what is required to transform the house into a perfect home.