Thinking of buying a home? We’ve been underpinning and renovating homes for 28 years and sadly during this time we have met many people who have purchased a home only to discover it had issues with foundations, or shoddy home DIY renovations causing bigger problems, and they needed our help.
With underpinning, foundation repair, and whole home renovations being our specialty, we felt sharing a few tips on things to look out for when buying a home would be helpful to either avoid buying a home that will require repairs, or help be fully informed of its issues to negotiate a fair price.
Location
Consider the location of the property and whether it is suitable for your needs. Think about proximity to schools, work, public transportation, shopping, and other amenities. Has there been any recent nearby excavation works like a new pool installation or a nearby home being built that could affect the foundation due to soil disturbance?
Overall Condition
Take a good look at the overall condition of the property, including the roof, foundation, walls, and flooring. Look for signs of damage or wear and tear, such as step cracks in the bricks or water stains on gyprock.
Size and Functionality
Consider whether the size and layout of the property will meet your needs. Think about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as the size of the living spaces.
Outdoor Space and Functionality
Check the outdoor space and consider if it suits your needs. Look at the size of the yard, the condition of any landscaping, and whether there is a suitable entertaining space.
Services and Essential Infrastructure
Check the condition of the electrical, plumbing, septic (if applicable), water pumps, heating, and cooling systems. Consider the age of these systems and whether they will need to be replaced in the near future.
Storage
Consider the amount of storage space that the property offers, including cupboards, cabinets, sheds, and garage or carport space.
Parking
Check the availability of parking in the area, including whether the property has a garage or driveway.
Value
Consider the potential for the property to appreciate in value over time, based on its location and other factors.
We hope these helpful tips will prove useful in your journey to buy a home.
If you think your home, investment, or business requires underpinning and foundation repairs, fill in the contact form below, or call our expert team to arrange a consultation – 0429 999 478
