ARCHIVES - "Safe As Houses"

GOING IN WITH BOTH EYES OPEN
Copyright © 2005 John Hopkins

Everyone knows the old saying, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth". And of course why would you, it's a gift after all!

On the other hand, if you were buying the horse and it was going to cost you as much as a home might, things would be very different. You wouldn't only look it in the mouth, you'd check in a few other places and consider having X-rays done as well.

Buying a property is a major commitment and it is important that the choice is made carefully. Otherwise you will just have to live with your mistakes or pay out a lot of money to have them fixed.

Developing a systematic approach to inspecting a house is a good way of locating trouble spots.

You'll usually be led straight inside. So, let's start there.

A musty smell as you walk in the door might mean there's a new puppy in the house, but it could also indicate that there's a damp problem. If there is indeed a damp problem, you'll probably notice other signs of it as you go through. Damp in a house can rot woodwork and undermine walls and once it has taken hold it is difficult and expensive to fix.

Of course anyone selling a house is going to try and make it look as attractive as possible. As much as a new coat of paint might cover up problem areas, it could also show where they are.
A newly-painted wall that has already started to blemish might indicate a very active damp patch.

There are other obvious signs of trouble. Cracks in walls, sagging or creaking floors, doors that stick. Any one of these may be the result of structural problems, or perhaps indicate that the stumps under the house need replacing.

Lightly jumping on floors every few feet will show up any weak spots. And look out for signs of movement such as gaps between floors and skirting boards or ceiling and cornices.

If you fill a sink with water and the water drains out very slowly, suspect a problem with the sewer lines. Also, you can check the consistency of the water pressure by turning on two or more taps at once. Check both hot taps and cold taps independently.

Ask what sort of hot water there is—gas, electricity, off-peak—and check the water heater. You may wish to fill your new home with antiques but the hot water heater shouldn't be one of them. And neither should the wiring.

Buy yourself an inexpensive power point tester and check that the power points are all working properly without fusing or crackling. This will also show you whether there are enough power points, and if they are conveniently located. While you're at it, check the light switches.

If it's a rainy day, a few leakage problems might make themselves obvious. If it's not raining, check for watermarks around windows or on ceilings.

By law there should be access to the roof through the ceiling, so go up and take a look at the attic. Keep an eye out for signs of roof damage, do-it-yourself repairs and four-legged tenants.

Now that you are familiar with the house, check what will be staying there. Will the light fittings be left? The curtains? If you decide you are interested in the house, you may want to get a list of the fixtures that will be staying to save possible confusion later.

Move outside. Check the general condition of the walls, brickwork and the roof. There should be plenty of effective ventilation holes below floor level and above it. This can reduce any tendency towards damp.

Under the house the earth should be quite dry and the stumps holding up the floors should be in good condition.

Look at the fuse box to see if there are any signs of major or continuous fuse blowouts, and make sure the eaves and guttering are secure.

If there have been internal or external alterations or additions, it is important that you make sure they have been carried out with council approval. Unapproved alterations can affect your finance. And if the council discovers the alterations after you have moved in, you may have to make the changes at your own expense.

Signs of trouble in any area should be followed up with a professional inspection. If you decide to buy, this would be a good idea anyway. You may wish to call in a builder, electrician or a pest exterminator to assess the full extent of any problems.

If you are buying the house as your home and you have fallen in love with it, you'll probably forgive just about anything. Even so, your inspection should still be a thorough one so that you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for.

If you're buying the house as an investment, you need to be even tougher in your assessment.

As an investor, you should be looking for one of those few properties that can be considered prime real estate. Basically, you should be looking for a house that is ready to receive a tenant immediately. And it should be well situated so that finding a tenant will not be difficult.

If the house needs or will soon need major repairs, you will find the effectiveness of your investment will be weakened. And when it comes to property investment, only best returns on prime real estate are good enough.