When you are at an open inspection, you are rushing around and would be lucky to spend 20 mins looking at the whole house. Often multiple open inspections are done, with other potential buyers, all possibly making an early offer.
Here is a heads up on the warning signs, that you should take note of.
In older homes with timber floors, often a carpet is positioned over a floor area. This can be hiding termite damage, or simply a staging prop. If possible, walk over the carpeted area and listen for creaking noises and feel for joist movement. If no one is around peel back the carpet and have a look, however this will be frowned on by the agent. Look for termite floor traps, suggesting prior inspections and for drill holes in the perimeter pathways, that show prior treatment.
Exterior timber windows that were freshly painted for the sale of the property, can also be hiding existing wood rot, look for the texture difference and feel the difference between the putty and the timber. The putty will over time just fall out, leaving the damaged windows.
Wood rot in timber fascia’s is often difficult to see without a ladder. Look for recently replaced guttering and metal capping covering the mitred fascia corners.
Rising damp can be seen by small paint blisters, these can appear after the first few rainy days and often located near damaged downpipes.
Rising damp or waterproofing issues in bathrooms can be seen with a torch, looking down the wall surface for small paint blisters.
A building inspector will have a Tramex moisture meter to check for all the above issues and many other inspection tools, so it's best to use an inspector after you have made an offer or prior to the auction day.
Happy house hunting.
Here is a heads up on the warning signs, that you should take note of.
In older homes with timber floors, often a carpet is positioned over a floor area. This can be hiding termite damage, or simply a staging prop. If possible, walk over the carpeted area and listen for creaking noises and feel for joist movement. If no one is around peel back the carpet and have a look, however this will be frowned on by the agent. Look for termite floor traps, suggesting prior inspections and for drill holes in the perimeter pathways, that show prior treatment.
Exterior timber windows that were freshly painted for the sale of the property, can also be hiding existing wood rot, look for the texture difference and feel the difference between the putty and the timber. The putty will over time just fall out, leaving the damaged windows.
Wood rot in timber fascia’s is often difficult to see without a ladder. Look for recently replaced guttering and metal capping covering the mitred fascia corners.
Rising damp can be seen by small paint blisters, these can appear after the first few rainy days and often located near damaged downpipes.
Rising damp or waterproofing issues in bathrooms can be seen with a torch, looking down the wall surface for small paint blisters.
A building inspector will have a Tramex moisture meter to check for all the above issues and many other inspection tools, so it's best to use an inspector after you have made an offer or prior to the auction day.
Happy house hunting.
Tiled walls can hide moistuire issues
Wood rot putty and paint to fascia
Window putty and painted over wood rot
Carpet rugs are not allways for staging
Termite damage noted to floor area under rug
Rising damp is difficult to find by eye alone, look for blistering paint
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