If you’re like most first home buyers in Perth, then you’re probably new to inspecting properties and what you should be looking out for. Sometimes, it can become even more difficult to spot issues when excitement takes over. While it’s crucial that you organise a Professional Building Inspection to assess the property before committing to a purchase, it’s also good to learn what you should be looking out for yourself. After all, you may be inspecting hundreds of properties until you fall in love with one.

Firstly, what is a Professional Building Inspection?

To summarise, it’s a comprehensive examination of a property that’s for sale. An experienced and highly qualified building inspector will conduct a thorough assessment for you and let you know if there are any issues. These inspections contain detailed information so you can make a professional and adequately informed decision.

But there’s no need to worry about all of that yet. Here’s what you should be looking for when personally inspecting properties during viewings to ensure you narrow down the options that are less likely to have substantial issues in the future.

Keep an eye out for water stains

You should always check for any water stains on the walls and ceilings throughout the property because when water has access to enclosed spaces this usually means the home has issues with dampness. And when it comes to the wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, you should check around showers, baths and toilets for any leaks or signs of moisture. These are not usually structural issues, but it could be expensive to repair down the track. Unfortunately, sometimes sellers can paint over visible stains to hide the issues, so you could miss them, which is why it’s important to have a Professional Building Inspector examine the property.

Look for signs of Mould

Mould is critical to look out for because it could be an indication of a much bigger problem which often means an expensive problem. Mould can be caused by plumbing issues, leaking roofs, poor ventilation and dampness getting into the property. So remember to check for any mould stains in the bathrooms, kitchen, walls and window frames as well.

Furthermore, mould contamination also creates health problems such as allergic reactions and respiratory issues which means it’s dangerous for you and your family live with it inside your home.

Note any potential structural issues

If a property has structural issues, they’re usually the most expensive and challenging problem to repair. Keep a lookout for uneven floors, cracks in the walls/brickwork and doors that don’t close properly. When outside check that the roof looks straight and doesn’t have any obvious bends, swerves or deflections.

Check the internal brick/plaster condition

When you’re walking through the property, keep an eye out for any issues with the plaster or brickwork. Make sure to check for even the smallest and thinnest of cracks because this could be the beginning of much larger issues down the track. Although it is common for cracking to occur in many houses around Perth due to settling foundations etc. every instance of visible cracks appearing should be investigated immediately by a professional. 

The above issues are crucial to check for when inspecting properties. And while you may have spotted these yourself and could use the information to negotiate a better price, it’s still essential to arrange a Professional Building Inspection. By investing initially in a Building Inspection, it will prevent the stress of dealing with substantial repairs in the future. Failure to do this can be one of the costliest mistakes for first home buyers.

Are you a first home buyer in Perth? If so, you can rely on the team at Total Home Inspections to assist you in your home buying journey.