How do you find out if a property is damaged before making an offer?
Doing due diligence on a home you are interested in buying, before you make an offer or at least before you sign the property contract of sale, is critical. The way you find out about the true condition of the property is through a pre-purchase building inspection.
Sometimes a property vendor will provide the property inspection before they put their home on the market. If they haven’t, you as a property investor or home buyer do have the option to have an independent building inspector in Melbourne or Geelong provide a property condition report. This will detail any major issues, so you enter into the purchase fully knowing what you are committing to when buying.
Should I Hire a Home Inspector to Check for Property Damage Before Making an Offer?
If you’re considering buying a property, it’s highly recommended to hire an independent house inspector to thoroughly check for any potential damage. A good home inspector can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs down the line and provide you with peace of mind knowing that the property is in good condition.
If you’ve fallen in love with a house, it’s easy for your emotions to cloud your logic. Then, you may not see things that a qualified and highly trusted building inspector will. A comprehensive inspection may uncover issues such as leaks, cracks, and mold growth that could go unnoticed during a simple walk-through.
By investing in a home inspection, you can avoid the emotional turmoil of discovering unexpected problems after closing the deal. You can confidently make an informed decision about whether to purchase the property or not, knowing that you have a complete understanding of its condition.
Deciding on the Best Home Inspector in Melbourne
In Victoria, you don’t need to have certification to be a building inspector. So how do you ensure you get a quality inspector? The answer is easy; use a registered builder who has years of experience.
Builders know what to look for and can provide you with a detailed condition report. They have a trained eye based on constructing houses and final handover inspections. The Home Building Assist building inspector is a registered builder, has also obtained the QMB inspector certification for added value and is a member of the Housing Industry Association. (HIA).
With our qualifications you’re going to get an absolute expert looking over your property. It’s a worthwhile investment to ensure you know what you are buying, especially given the large financial commitment on your part.
What’s the Benefit of Getting a Pre-purchase Building Inspection?
Whether you choose to get a property inspection before an offer or as part of the contract of sale, it gives you 3 options.
- Request that the damages outlined in the condition report are fixed prior to finalising the contract of sale,
- Negotiate the deal with the knowledge of the damages to the property, or
- Walk away if the report indicates significant damage to the home.
Further, your pre purchase property inspection is conducted using Australian Standard AS 4349.1—2007, Inspection of buildings,
Part 1: Pre-purchase inspections—
Residential buildings.
This inspection focus on 6 key parts of an existing home to bring to a prospective purchaser any concerns found during the inspection.
(a) The interior of the building.
(b) The roof space.
(c) The exterior of the building.
(d) The sub-floor space.
(e) The roof exterior.
(f) The property within 30 m of the building subject to inspection.
Ensure you have a Victorian property conveyancer to assist you with the process as they are specialists in property contracts.
