Open homes: What to look out for and what to avoid

When inspecting a property it’s easy to be seduced by the slick decor, soft lighting and the smell of a designer candle.

But these tricks can blind you to a property’s faults. Which, ultimately, could see you saddled with a lemon that could end up costing thousands of extra dollars.

Advantage Property Consulting director Frank Valentic said a house or apartment inspection was one of the most crucial steps in buying a home and shouldn’t be rushed.

News.com.au asked Mr Valentic and Archicentre Australia director Peter Georgiev for their tips on getting the most out of an open for inspection.

Location, location, location

Before you step inside the door, consider the property’s location.

“You want to be close to lifestyle attractions such as shops, cafes, parks and transport. But you don’t want to be too close to ugly, potentially dangerous things like petrol stations, industrial buildings, train tracks or busy roads,” Mr Valentic said.

“Bear in mind that one day you will be selling a property and if the location is poor, it will take longer to sell and you may have to discount your price.”

Look up … and down

Any inspection should start from the outside, according to Mr Georgiev.

“Look at the condition of the gates, the fences, the outbuildings and the weatherboards. Are there any cracks in the brickwork? In an ideal world you’d also look at the condition of the roof,” he said.

If a house is on stumps, check whether they are timber, which could need replacing in the future. And when inside, jump up and down to see if there is any movement.

Mr Valentic also advised peeking in the electrical box to see whether rewiring was needed and checking the floorboards for disintegration or tiny holes which could suggest termite damage.

And don’t be afraid to open windows and doors, turn on taps and look under the kitchen sink.

“It’s very important to look beyond the nice furniture, wall prints and designer rugs which can make a property look more renovated than it is,” he said.

Let there be light

Get your compass out to check the orientation which, according to Mr Georgiev, should ideally be north or east-facing to bring light into the property.

A functional floorplan with the living area separated from the bedrooms and not having an only bathroom as an ensuite should also be a priority.

“Problems like a less-then-ideal floorplan and a property facing the wrong way can often be overcome with some clever design if you are planning to renovate but if you are looking for a place to live in as is, then it’s important to get that right from the start,” he said.

Eyes wide open

Treating the open for inspection as an opportunity to find out as much information as you can about the property will help you to make an informed buying decision, according to Mr Valentic.

“Ask the agent lots of questions: not only about the property, but the price expectations and why the owners are selling,” he said.

Eavesdropping on the other attendees’ conversations was also a good strategy because they might ask a question you hadn’t even thought of, such as whether you need a parking permit.

Ask for seconds

Taking a friend or family member along to an inspection was also a must, Mr Valentic said.

“Often you can make the mistake of falling in love with a property. You get all warm and fuzzy and forget that it is next door to a petrol station or on a main road so having someone else there as a voice of reason is a good move,” he said.

Getting a second opinion from an expert is also a great idea.Source:istock

Ask for a repeat viewing

“When you’re spending that amount of money you should always visit a property more than once,” Mr Valentic said.

“A good agent will always hold an open for inspection at a time that is favourable to the property, for example, when the light is best or traffic is minimised.

“Visiting at another time of the day will let you see if those conditions change.”

Call the professionals

Both Mr Valentic and Mr Georgiev are fans of getting a professional assessment done after you’ve done your own inspections.

“There aren’t many people who would buy a car without getting a mechanic to check it over, so when you are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a property, why would you want to take the risk that there are termites or that it needs major remedial work,” Mr Valentic said.

An independent building inspection should be done by a qualified builder, surveyor or architect.

A timber pest inspection can also be done separately or combined with a building assessment.