Buying a home is a big decision, and it’s important to make sure you know what you’re getting into. With all the different parts that go into a house, it can be hard to know what to look out for. That’s why we’ve put together this home buyer’s checklist to help you identify potential problems before you make a purchase. From maintenance to DIY projects, plumbing to electrics, and expensive fixes to surveys, this guide will give you the lowdown on the 10 things you should spot in a house before you buy. Let’s get started!
Introduction - What to Look Out For When Buying a Home
When it comes to buying a home, you need to make sure you’re informed before making a decision. The last thing you want is to be stuck with an expensive repair bill or a house that’s not up to standard. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the different things you need to look out for when buying a home.
The first thing to consider is the maintenance of the property. It’s important to look out for signs of poor maintenance, as this could mean that the house needs repairs or renovations that could be costly. If you’re not sure, it’s always a good idea to get a professional opinion.
The second thing to consider is DIY projects. If there are any DIY projects that need to be done, such as painting, tiling, or carpentry, these will need to be taken into account when deciding whether to buy the property. It’s important to make sure that you’re prepared to undertake any projects that need doing.
Thirdly, you need to consider the cost of repairs. If there are any repairs or renovations that need to be done, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of the potential costs of these repairs. This will help you to decide whether the house is worth buying or not.
Lastly, you need to consider the plumbing. You should look out for any signs of plumbing problems, such as leaks, burst pipes, or slow drainage. If there are any issues with the plumbing, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the situation before making a decision.
Maintenance - How to Spot Signs of Poor Maintenance
When looking for signs of poor maintenance, it’s important to look out for any visible signs of damage or wear and tear. This could include cracked paint, peeling wallpaper, broken tiles, or loose fixtures. It’s important to make sure that the property has been properly maintained and that any repairs or renovations that need to be done have been taken care of.
You should also look out for any signs of water damage. This could include discoloured walls or ceilings, damp patches, or mould. Water damage can be a sign of poor maintenance, as it can indicate that the property hasn’t been properly maintained.
Another thing to look out for is any signs of pests. If there are any signs of pests, such as rats, mice, or cockroaches, this could be a sign that the property hasn’t been properly maintained. Pests can cause damage to the property, so it’s important to make sure that any signs of pests are taken care of before you make a purchase.
Lastly, you should look out for any signs of structural damage. This could include cracks in the walls or ceilings, sagging floors, or loose foundations. Structural damage can be a sign that the property hasn’t been properly maintained, and it can also be an indication of potential problems with the property.
DIY - What DIY Projects Need to Be Undertaken?
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to consider any DIY projects that need to be undertaken. This could include painting, tiling, carpentry, or any other projects that need to be done. It’s important to make sure that you’re prepared to undertake any projects that need to be done before you make a purchase.
If you’re not sure of the scope of any potential DIY projects, it’s always a good idea to get a professional opinion. This will help you to understand the extent of the work that needs to be done and make sure that you’re prepared for any projects that need to be undertaken.
It’s also important to consider the cost of any DIY projects. If you’re not sure of the cost of any projects, it’s a good idea to get a few quotes from local tradespeople. This will help you to understand the potential costs of any DIY projects and make sure that you’re not overspending on any projects.
Lastly, it’s important to consider the time that any DIY projects will take. If you’re not confident in your DIY skills, it’s always a good idea to get a professional opinion. This will help you to understand the scope of any projects and make sure that you’re not taking on projects that are too complex.
Cost - What Are the Potential Costs of Repairs?
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to consider the potential costs of repairs. This could include any repairs or renovations that need to be done, as well as any new appliances or furniture that need to be bought. It’s important to make sure that you’re aware of the potential costs of any repairs before you make a purchase.
It’s also important to consider the cost of any DIY projects. If you’re not confident in your DIY skills, it’s always a good idea to get a few quotes from local tradespeople. This will help you to understand the potential costs of any DIY projects and make sure that you’re not overspending on any projects.
Lastly, it’s important to consider the cost of any long-term repairs. If there are any major repairs that need to be done, such as replacing a roof or fixing a broken pipe, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of the potential costs of these repairs. This will help you to decide whether the house is worth buying or not.
Plumbing - How to Spot Plumbing Problems
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of any potential plumbing problems. This could include any leaks, burst pipes, or slow drainage. If there are any issues with the plumbing, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the situation before making a purchase.
You should also look out for any signs of water damage. This could include discoloured walls or ceilings, damp patches, or mould. Water damage can be a sign of plumbing problems, as it can indicate that there are leaks or burst pipes.
It’s also important to look out for any signs of pests. If there are any signs of pests, such as rats, mice, or cockroaches, this could be a sign that there are plumbing problems. Pests can cause damage to the property, so it’s important to make sure that any signs of pests are taken care of before you make a purchase.
Lastly, you should look out for any signs of structural damage. This could include cracks in the walls or ceilings, sagging floors, or loose foundations. Structural damage can be a sign that there are plumbing problems, as it can indicate that there are leaks or burst pipes.
Damp - How to Spot Signs of Damp
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of any potential damp problems. Damp can be a sign of poor maintenance, as it can indicate that the property hasn’t been properly maintained. It’s important to make sure that any signs of damp are taken care of before you make a purchase.
The first thing to look out for is any visible signs of damp. This could include discoloured walls or ceilings, damp patches, or mould. If there are any visible signs of damp, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the situation before making a purchase.
You should also look out for any musty smells. If there’s a musty smell in the property, this could be a sign of damp. It’s important to make sure that any musty smells are dealt with before you make a purchase.
It’s also important to look out for any signs of water damage. This could include cracked paint, peeling wallpaper, broken tiles, or loose fixtures. Water damage can be a sign of damp, as it can indicate that the property hasn’t been properly maintained.
Lastly, you should look out for any signs of pests. If there are any signs of pests, such as rats, mice, or cockroaches, this could be a sign that there is damp in the property. Pests can cause damage to the property, so it’s important to make sure that any signs of pests are taken care of before you make a purchase.
Leaks - How to Spot Signs of Leaks
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of any potential leaks. Leaks can be a sign of poor maintenance, as it can indicate that the property hasn’t been properly maintained. It’s important to make sure that any signs of leaks are taken care of before you make a purchase.
The first thing to look out for is any visible signs of water damage. This could include discoloured walls or ceilings, damp patches, or mould. If there are any visible signs of water damage, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the situation before making a purchase.
You should also look out for any musty smells. If there’s a musty smell in the property, this could be a sign of a leak. It’s important to make sure that any musty smells are dealt with before you make a purchase.
It’s also important to look out for any signs of structural damage. This could include cracks in the walls or ceilings, sagging floors, or loose foundations. Structural damage can be a sign of a leak, as it can indicate that there is water damage in the property.
Lastly, you should look out for any signs of pests. If there are any signs of pests, such as rats, mice, or cockroaches, this could be a sign that there are leaks in the property. Pests can cause damage to the property, so it’s important to make sure that any signs of pests are taken care of before you make a purchase.
Electrics - What to Look for in Electrical Installations
When it comes to buying a home, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of any potential electrical problems. Electrical problems can be a sign of poor maintenance, as it can indicate that the property hasn’t been properly maintained. It’s important to make sure that any signs of electrical problems are taken care of before you make a purchase.
The first thing to look out for is any visible signs of electrical problems. This could include loose wires, exposed wiring, or faulty switches. If there are any visible signs of electrical problems, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the situation before making a purchase.
You should also look out for any signs of water damage. This could include discoloured walls or ceilings, damp patches, or mould. Water damage can be a sign of electrical problems, as it can indicate that there are faulty wires or exposed wiring.
It’s also important to look out for any musty smells. If there’s a musty smell in the property, this could be a sign of electrical problems. It’s important to make sure that any musty smells are dealt with before you make a purchase.
Lastly, you should look out for any signs of pests. If there are any signs of pests, such as rats, mice, or cockroaches, this could be a sign that there are electrical problems in the property. Pests can cause damage to the property, so it’s important to make sure that any signs of pests are taken care of before you make a purchase.
New Builds - What to Look for in New Builds
When it comes to buying a new build, it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of any potential problems. New builds can be prone to problems, as they are often built in a hurry and can be of lower quality than older properties. It’s important to make sure that any potential problems are taken care of before you make a purchase.
The first thing to look out for is any visible signs of poor quality. This could include cracked paint, peeling wallpaper, broken tiles, or loose fixtures. If there are any visible signs of poor quality, it’s important to get a professional opinion on the situation before making a purchase. At the very least, if its a new build offering "turnkey" , be sure to make a detailed 'snag list'. The tiniest imperfection should get noted and handed to the developer to complete as part of their contract. The snag list can be a great negotiating tool!
You should also look out for any musty smells. On a new build there shouldn't be any. If there’s a musty smell in the property, its a sign something wrong It’s important to make sure that any musty smells are dealt with before you make a purchase.
It’s also important to look out for any signs of water damage. This could include discoloured walls or ceilings, damp patches, or mould. Water damage can be a sign of poor quality, as it can indicate that the property hasn’t been properly maintained or ventilated. Its rate on new developments and a b
Lastly, you should look out for any signs of 'pests' or vermin droppings. You'd be surprised and disappointed if you saw such evidence in a new development but around the property, in the garden etc its something to look out for and raise with the developer - pests are rarely by themselves!
Conclusion – Making an Informed Decision
Buying a house can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With the right preparation, this home buyer's checklist and some help from good people (don't be afraid to ask the wise handyman who lives down the street to view the house with you) you can make sure that you're making an informed decision and getting the best value for your money and the home you want.
In this blog, we've walked you through 10 things to look for in a house before you buy. From safety and security to value for money and neighborhood, this checklist will help you make sure you're investing in the right property.
So what are you waiting for? Its an exciting time. Hopefully our home buyer's checklist has made it a little easier! Good luck!
