It’s exciting to view a property that could one day be your home, whether it’s your first or third visit. But before you go noting wall colours and thinking how you’ll arrange your furniture, here are eight major things you should be looking out for during a home inspection.

You don’t want to take on a bigger financial commitment than you bargained for – an unexpected renovation project – after all.

Homes don’t have to be old to be considered ‘fixer-uppers’ or ‘renovator’s dreams’. Even newer homes can have their issues, though they’re arguably a little easier to hide, making it even more important to carefully inspect key areas for often-costly problems:

1. Look for troubles with a house’s exterior and foundations

Before you even go inside, take a walk around the outside of the property. There’s much that can go wrong with a home’s exterior and issues here can have major impacts on the interior too. Look for:

  • The condition of stumps or foundations

  • Damage, cracks, or wood rot on external walls

  • Condition of the paint or coverings

  • Whether windows and doors are closing or sealing

  • Termite activity or evidence of previous activity

Any issues found are best assessed by a qualified building and pest inspector. Inspectors can also give you an idea of the expense you might be up for to remedy any problems. Any major structural issues can be extremely costly to rectify, after all.

2. Check for issues with gutters, eaves, and roof plumbing

Next, check the gutters have no holes or rust, and that they aren’t coming away from their fixings. Sagging eaves can also alert you to water or drainage problems.

If it’s not raining, you won’t be able to check for blockages or leaks (although a building inspector may be able to tick these boxes for you if you engage one later).

Check that flashings or bargeboards are intact and don’t show signs of rot. Roof repair, reroofing, or re-guttering can be a major expense that you don’t want to find out about after you settle.

3. Watch out for water stains, mould, and corrosion

Once you’re inside, keep an eye out for evidence of water or damp issues. These can present on ceilings and walls, particularly in bathroom or laundry areas that may not have good air circulation or access to sunlight.

Water stains or mould on ceilings can also point to more a serious issue of moisture entering the ceiling space, indicating a problem with the roof or roof drainage. These underlying problems may take more to fix than just a scrub with bleach and a coat of anti-mould paint.

4. Major cracks in walls or ceilings could indicate structural issues

Cracks in internal walls and ceilings can happen in older homes or newer builds. Often these can be linked to movement in the foundations, whether realised over years or due to the 'settling' of soil and materials in newer constructions.

But if there are a large number of cracks wider than two millimetres, it can indicate a more serious issue, such as sinking foundations or a problem with structural integrity. You can try opening and closing windows, doors, and cupboards to see if their range of movement has been affected as well.

Again, a building inspection can probably determine the cause of the cracks and let you know whether they're the symptom of a bigger problem and how easy they’ll be to repair.

5. Problems with flooring could also highlight structural issues

Sagging or uneven floors can also alert you to shifting foundations. Check the edges of walls meet flush with the floor and look for telltale cracks in tiles.

Carpet may hide certain flooring issues, but staining or uneven colour can be indicative of water or damp issues within the home.

6. Check heating and cooling systems are working

Just because a home comes with an air conditioner or heating system doesn’t mean they’re necessarily in working order.

Ask questions about the age of the systems, how well they’ve been upkept, and whether you can test to see that they’re operating. If the units are older, there’s every chance they won’t be highly energy efficient, which can cost you in the long run.

Real estate agents will generally include climate control systems on their marketing blurbs for properties listed for sale but it’s up to you to check whether they work effectively and how long they’re likely to last.

7. Test water pressure and drainage

Many older homes come with plumbing issues. The obvious ones you can check for in a house inspection are water pressure and drainage problems. Check the force of the water coming out of taps and showerheads and assess how fast it drains away. Listen for gurgling or glugging that can alert you to blockage issues.

Low water pressure can be due to the build-up of scale in older pipes, but it can also be a local authority issue as well. Check too for high water pressure. It can be just as serious if water pressure is above regulation standard as it can void warranties on appliances connected to water pipes or insurance claims made to fix any damage it may cause.

8. Make sure electrical wiring and lighting looks and works as expected

Rewiring an entire home is a major expense. Before purchasing a property, make sure all switches are working and turning on what they’re meant to. You can give the power points a test too by plugging in your phone charger and seeing if they work.

Also note what sort of lighting is in the home. If it’s old halogen or incandescent bulbs, you might have to factor in the cost of upgrading to more energy-efficient lighting that can save you money in the long run.

Again, a building inspector will be able to give a better picture of the wiring of the home, whether it meets current standards, and whether it’s safe.

Image by Steven Cordes on Unsplash

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