It’s hard to not be overwhelmed during the process of purchasing a home, especially if it is your first one. If you don’t want to be caught off guard by expensive reconstruction and maintenance bills then it’s always best to keep an eye out for these things when going to a home inspection. It’s important to do a thorough inspection yourself just in case the sellers have failed to disclose certain issues or faults with the house structurally or aesthetically. From windows painted shut to missing floorboards, you don’t want to be caught out! Most buyers should order a full professional building inspection report if they decide to go ahead with the purchase. Here are some things to look out for:

1. Open every single window, even during the winter months. This isn’t just to make sure the windows are okay but also that they aren’t painted shut or faulty. Also, make sure the locks and seals aren’t breaking or need repairing.
2. Make sure all electrical sockets work and can be plugged in without being forced.
3. Check the built-in appliances like dishwashers. A lot of the older models tend to leak or break down easily so if you are looking at making an offer on the house just pop the dishwasher through its cycle at the start of your inspection. By the end of it you should have a pretty good idea whether or not it works well. The same goes for air conditioning units, it’s important to know how old they are and how often they have been serviced. The last thing you want is an air con that constantly leaks.
4. Unless you’re planning on renovating the bathroom and kitchen, make sure all the taps work. With the toilet, does it fill up quickly after being flushed or does it take a while? How about the hot and cold water taps; do they take ages to heat up or are they rusted and broken? Better to know now rather than 6 months down the track.
5. Ask about the home’s termite history and whether it has ever been inspected or treated for the problem. Usually it’s a good idea to have a separate pest and termite inspection since it can be hard to tell if you don’t know what exactly it is you’re looking for.
6. Remember to ask the seller and their agent if there are any underlying or hidden issues with the property. They must be truthful if you ask. Keep a record of all the questions you asked, just in case something arises in the future.
7. Cracks, stains and smells. All the smelliest issues lurk in cupboards. Make sure to look in all the closed cupboards and have a good sniff. Does it smell like mold or mildew? How about cracks or sagging? It might seem tedious, but even the smallest things could turn into major issues later on.
8. The roof and their gutters. This is definitely something you need a professional building inspector for. There can be roof leaks, cracks or rust in the gutters that you can’t see and the last thing you want is for a big storm to hit and you to have an unexpected night of holding a pot under the drip.
9. Storm water drains. Are the down pipes along the exterior of the house pouring out into a stormwater drain or straight onto the ground? Keep in mind that replacing drains and the concrete around them can be pretty expensive.
10. Lifestyle, light and noise. Last but certainly not least are the things that are going to make your life more comfortable. Look out for school zones, natural light, proximity to shops and noisy neighbours. Is the commute to work too long? Is there a school right behind the house that is going to annoy you throughout the day? All these things should be the very first thing you consider when purchasing a house. There is no point buying a house if after 6 weeks you already start to regret it.