The Importance of Pre-Purchase Home Inspections in Melbourne
Pre-purchase home inspections in Melbourne are optional, but they hold great importance. Before you sign a purchase contract, we highly suggest paying for an inspection. Without a proper inspection, you don’t know the true condition of the home – you only know what you can see with your untrained eye.
We always follow the Victorian building authority guidelines
A quality inspection before you sign the contract lets you know the home’s condition. It also informs you of any necessary repairs. Wouldn’t you rather know the extent and cost of the repairs before you buy the home? What if the cost of repairs greatly increases the overall cost of the home? You may change your mind about buying the home with the right information.
How to Order the Pre-Purchase Inspection in Melbourne
Once you decide you want to buy the home, discuss the need for an inspection with the seller. Building inspectors typically need two to three days’ notice to complete the process and write the report. It’s important to discuss the inspection early in your negotiations. Let the seller know of your desire to get a professional opinion on the home’s condition so that they allow enough time for it.
Even if you order the inspection yourself, the seller must make the home available for viewing. It requires a little back and forth between the inspector and the seller to find a mutually agreeable time. Once the inspector views the home, he needs time to write up the report, hence the two to three-day notice and turnaround time. After receiving the report, you can decide if you still want to buy the home.
Understanding the Pre-Purchase Inspection Report
The home inspection report may have a standard format or one that’s unique to the inspector himself. There isn’t a required format, but either way, it should comply with the Australian Standard (AS 4349.1).
Home inspectors look at the interior and exterior when inspecting a home. They look for obvious issues, such as cracked walls or a damaged roof, but they also look for issues you may not notice. Inspectors have extensive training, knowing just what to look for and even how much it may cost to do the repairs.
Once the inspector views the home, he provides a detailed report. The report shows any issues in any area of the home. Inspectors note issues including:
• Pest or terminate infestation or damage
• Cracked walls
• Damaged plumbing or electrical systems
• Damaged septic tanks
• Mould or mildew issues
• Ineffective HVAC systems
• Fireplace or chimney issues
• Damaged sprinkler systems
• Faulty roofing
• Unsafe or damaged carpeting
• Issues with systems including garbage disposal and ducted vacuums
• Unsafe or damaged home appliances
• Issues with home accessibility
• Issues with the fencing
• Water issues inside or outside the home including storm water run-off
• Issues with sidewalks or driveways
• Issues with doors or windows not closing or latching
This generalizes what inspectors look at when inspecting a home. If you have specific areas you want inspected, let the inspector know right away. For example, if you saw trickling water, you may worry about mould or mildew growth. Or if you notice the roof has missing tiles, you may wonder about the roof’s integrity. Mention these issues to the inspector before he goes out so that he pays careful attention to these areas.
Reading the Pre-Purchase Inspection Report
Inspection reports may seem overwhelming, but they provide a wealth of information. In general, you’ll learn three things about the home:
• Information on the condition of the home and its features
• Specific information on each problem in the home
• The estimated cost of repairs
Please note, a standard home inspection is only a visual inspection. If you or the inspector suspects serious issues in certain areas, you may need to call in specialists including:
• Pest inspector
• Structural engineer
• Public utilities authorities
• Surveyor
• Electricians
• Plumbers
Talk with your inspector about any specific areas of concern. Most professionals will refer you to a specialist if they see specific issues, but it’s always worth asking.
Inspecting for Pests and Termites
In addition to the standard home inspection, you may consider a pest and termite inspection. You can choose to do so if the general inspection shows signs of pest or termite damage or just because you want the peace of mind knowing that the home is free of pests and termites.
A pest and termite inspection is a small cost compared to its value. Think of the money the right inspection may save you. If there’s major termite or pest infestation and damages, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in damage. This is in addition to the money you pay to buy the home. Many people don’t want the headache involved with the repairs and will move onto a different home.
Did you know that termites can cause serious damage to a property? While you may notice the initial signs of infestation, such as hollow timbers, only a licensed professional can truly tell the depth of the infestation and damage. Let a professional inspect the property, assess the damage (if any), and discuss the necessary repairs. The right specialist will also help you understand prevention methods that you can take.
The Benefits of a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
We’ve covered the basic reasons you should consider a pre-purchase home inspection, now let’s take a close look at the benefits of doing so.
Know that the home meets industry standards
What’s worse than finding out your newly constructed home doesn’t meet the area’s requirements and standards? What might look just right to you could be completely shoddy work that isn’t up to par. Wouldn’t you rather know that the construction is superior and the home is safe and sound? Paying a builder before knowing the status of the home’s construction could be dangerous. Let an inspector ensure the home’s stability before you make that final payment.
You’ll bid an appropriate price.
Who wants to pay more for a home than it’s worth? If the home you want has serious issues that require thousands of dollars in repairs, you’ll want to figure that into your bid. Having an inspection report in hand lets the seller know that you know the condition of the home. It helps the seller see the true value of the home as well, and may make him/her more willing to work with you.
It protects your investment.
Investing in real estate is expensive. If you know ahead of time what it may cost to repair the home, you can make an informed decision. Even if you decide to move ahead with the purchase of a home with issues, you go into the investment knowing what it may cost you rather than being faced with unpleasant surprises.
You can ensure your safety.
Just because a home is for sale doesn’t mean that it’s safe. Wouldn’t you rather have a professional tell you the home is structurally sound? Inspectors see things that you can’t see just walking through the home. Safety hazards, electrical issues, structural problems, and even mold/mildew issues pose a risk to your health and wellbeing. Knowing the home is free of these issues can keep you safe.
The pre-purchase inspection in Melbourne is an important part of the buying process. While it’s not a requirement by law or even to get financing, it protects your investment in the home. You are the one paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a home – it makes sense to protect your investment.
If you are ready to buy a home or have questions about the pre-purchase inspection process, visit our website or call us at 0450 632 867 we’d be happy to answer your questions.
