House Buying Checklist: Lesser-known things to look out for
New home buyers: this one’s for you! Here’s what we recommend looking out for when buying property.
House hunting takes skill so it’s good to be prepared before you start shopping around. Having a budget in mind plus an idea of the location you want to buy in are both great starts, but what about the smaller details? Well, we’ve compiled a few of them together in a list to help you out on your hunt!
Handy Home Inspection Checklist
- Be thorough in your research
- Ask your real estate agent for the owner history
- Hone-in on hazards
- Make sure the fixtures take your fancy
- Consider hidden costs
- Get a good look at the laundry
- Locate your power points
- Get to know the neighbours
Kicking things off with a simple but essential one: research! From the transport in the neighbourhood, to amenities and schools, you can never know too much about the suburb you plan to buy in. A great tip is to visit the neighbourhoods you’re considering at various times of the day. This is a great way to gauge how busy, quiet or secure the area is. You can also get a good feel for the community by joining local Facebook groups.
Research also includes getting a building inspection or property inspection done prior to signing the dotted line. This will ensure no nasty surprised further down the track!
Just like when you start a new job, it’s a wise idea to get a sense of the homeowner turnover rate. High turnover could be a potential red flag to look out for. And it’s also in your best interest to investigate the reasons why the property was or is being sold. The real estate agent should be able to provide some details, but don’t be afraid to do some digging online. An inspection report may be able to provide some insight if there’s something dodgy going on!
Before you sign on the dotted line, always keep an eye out for any environmental hazards. Consider if there are any major power plants or waste deposal areas nearby.
Exposure to environmental hazards should also be a consideration factor. Is the property at the bottom of a hill? If so, if could be prone to flooding. Are there lots of overhanging trees? They could damage your home in the event of strong winds.
As experts in the blinds industry, we often get asked if blinds are included in a house sale. The answer? Fixtures are almost always included in the sale of a house (a fixture referring to any decoration or piece of equipment that’s attached to the home). So, if the blinds, shutters or shades are attached to the frame of the window, then yes – they are classed as fixtures and cannot be taken by the seller before you move in.
While the type of window treatments won’t make or break the sale, it’s still worth knowing what’s on your windows. If the property features indoor or outdoor shutters, you could be onto a winner! Featuring a unique combination of style, strength and security, shutters will elevate the appearance, functionality and even resale value of your home!
It’s for this reason that recommend making sure you’re happy with the fixtures, as they’re there to stay! While items like blinds and curtains are easily replaced, it’s a cost you might not be prepared to front.
Compared to the price of the property, additional costs like council rates, strata fees, stamp duty and additional inspections (e.g., pest) may seem insignificant, but they can easily add up! By factoring in any extra expenses before you commit to the sale, you can avoid being hit with unpleasant surprises later on.
When you’re inspecting a property, you’re probably focused on main areas like the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom – for good reason! But taking note of the laundry is also a great idea. While not as glamours or exciting, it’s definitely an important room in your future home.
Take note of the layout, how much space there is for your washing machine and/or dryer, and how much storage is on offer. Otherwise, a renovation may be required.
Another small detail that’ll make a huge different in your day-to-day life: the power points! If the property is a more recent build, you shouldn’t have any issues, but if the home is older then you need to make sure there are adequate power points in each room.
Take lots of photos so that you can consider how you’ll lay out the space in a way that’s convenient.
Unless you’re going to be the landlord, it’s in your best interest to suss out who’s living nearby. When you’re inspecting the property, keep your eyes (and ears) open for any signs of problem tenants. Warning signs may include excessive rubbish outside surrounding homes, shouting or raised voices and rubber tyre marks on the road. The best thing to do is go for a walk around the block and see if you can strike up a conversation.
Interested in fitting out your home with new window treatments? To arrange a free measure and quote with a highly-trained consultant in your own home, give us a call on 13 13 15 or fill out this simple online form. We provide this service to a wide range of locations around metro and select regional areas, 6 days a week between 8am and 6pm.
All of our blinds, curtains and awnings are made in Australia and are sold for the lowest prices in the market, guaranteed. Just bring in a quote on any competitor’s comparable item and we’ll beat it by 5%!