What are you looking for in buying a new home?
The answer probably isn’t major structural damage, a leaky roof or walls crawling with termites. But, without adequate personal and professional inspections, you could be buying just that… along with a whole lot of regret.
Just like purchasing a used car would warrant a mechanical inspection before handing over the money, property is no different; only that the cost (and stress!) of problems after commiting to a sale are guaranteed to be a great deal more than a motor vehicle.
And when it comes to relying on an open home to inspect a property, let’s face it, we’re likely to walk through the door with rose coloured glasses on and skip over the red flags. Interiors have been styled, everything is looking at its best… and after a mere 15 minutes of due diligence – knocking on walls and having a quick check under the sink, that is – we’ve already been swept up by emotion of “it’s perfect!!” and are ready to sign the deal. And it’s precisely this kind of ‘buyer excitement’ that can mean major problems down the track.
So if buying the right home is top of your priorities, there’s two inspections that you’ll want to arrange with a quality professional before you make the final commitment to buy; a pest inspection and a building report.
Pest inspection
On average, a pest inspection can cost upwards of $200 depending on the size and age of the home, as well as if it’s located in an area prone to pests. In the grand scheme of things, that’s extremely cheap insurance – and the outcome could save you from a nightmare purchase or thousands of dollars in future repairs.
On average, a pest inspection can cost upwards of $200 depending on the size and age of the home, and if it’s located in an area prone to pests. In the grand scheme of things, that’s extremely cheap insurance – and the outcome could save you from a nightmare purchase or thousands of dollars in future repairs.
A pest inspector will thoroughly check the property for the presence of wood-destroying insects such as termites or borers, and for both existing damage as well as any potential future threats. If pests are present, the inspection will determine what treatment needs to be undertaken – and given that the property hasn’t yet sold, the seller may foot the bill for this if they wish to proceed with the sale.
On average, a pest inspection can cost upwards of $200 depending on the size and age of the home, as well as if it’s located in an area prone to pests. In the grand scheme of things, that’s extremely cheap insurance – and the outcome could save you from a nightmare purchase or thousands of dollars in future repairs.
A pest inspector will thoroughly check the property for the presence of wood-destroying insects such as termites or borers, and for both existing damage as well as any potential future threats. If pests are present, the inspection will determine what treatment needs to be undertaken – and given that the property hasn’t yet sold, the seller may foot the bill of this if they wish to proceed with the sale.
Pest inspectors recommended by Prudential:
- Brett from Fastinspect building inspections
Building report
Similarly, a building report can cost upwards of $200 (and can be purchased with a combined pest inspection), though the cost depends on the type of property being inspected. A professional building inspector will look at the building interior, exterior, roof, underfloor spaces and property site in search of structural defects or damage. They will provide the written condition of the property to you in a building report, so that you can identify any potential safety hazards or repairs in damage prior to your final commitment to buy.
Spending a little upfront can save you a lot down the track. Inspections not only provide buyers with peace of mind when buying, but they can also offer grounds to negotiate the price with the seller – especially in instances where the inspections have identified existing or potential issues.
Building inspectors recommended by Prudential:
- Brett from Fastinspect building inspections
After advice on a building or inspection report?
Contact Prudential Real Estate on (02) 4628 0033, or email us at campbelltown@prudential.com.au
