When you first see a house that you like you may look pasta few things and get carried away in the moment and vision of making it yor dream home. But before you jump to any rash decisions there are a number of important things to consider when purchasing or even considering a house.
Here is your checklist for purchasing a house:

1. THE LAND
While its important that the property itself be in its best condition, You should check out the land its on as its apart of the package and a    crucial element of the long-term health of the house. Check out the surrounding features, is there heavy bush around it? has there been bush fires in the area? Flooding? Is the property near a body of water? How is everything positioned on the lot? These are some features to take into consideration.

2. INSULATION
Insulation is one of the most crucial factors of a home as it regulates temperature all year round to make for a comfortable living space. So ensure that an inspection is done to evaluate the condition of the insulation and if there are any problems with it, it will need to be replaced. It could be damp, damaged or dirty, polluting your air in your home.

3. WATER LEAKS
Always check for any signs of water leaks or damage. Particularly on the walls backing onto bathrooms and laundries to see if there is any moisture seeping through. Look for water stains, mould or corrosion. If the house has carpet check to see if that is completely dry, if there are any water leaks you could potentially find out from a damp carpet.

4. CRACKING
Have you noticed any cracking inside or outside the property? This could be a major concern and might have dangerous underlying issues. It could mean problems in the foundation of the house or problems with the land.

5. THE ROOF
How does the roof look overall? Are there any tiles missing? Are the tiles in good condition? Will any restoration work need to be done? This also takes into considering the guttering and to see if there are any cracks or corrosion.

6. DRAINAGE
Have a look around the perimeter of the house. Are there any boggy patches of ground where water could have potentially built up? Maybe there is grass patches that are greener than the rest. Check the downpipes to see if they are flowing correctly and efficiently into drains and not just soaking into the lawn.

7. CEILINGS
Do the ceilings look straight? Do they look like they are in good condition? any sign of water leakage? Shine a torch on the ceilings and this will help uncover any defects.

8. PLUMBING
Make sure to check all the taps, showers and toilets to see if the plumbing is working fine. If it is all okay then the water should run clear and not make any noises.

9. MOULD
The first thing you should look out for is how does the property smell? If it has an odd musky smell to it this could be an indication that mould is present in the house. Are any walls or ceilings watermarked? Plaster flaking? Air bubbles in skirting could also indicate mould. Check inside any bathroom and kitchen cupboards for mildew. Mould can be professionally removed but at a high cost, and there might be a bigger underlying cause for it.

10. PESTS
A pest inspection done on the property will indicate if there are any pests present buy you can scour the property and see if there might be any bushes or plants that are sitting too close to the property which can cause pests to enter the property.

11. WILL THERE BE ANY ONGOING COSTS?
This includes Council rates, Utilities costs and Home and contents insurance.

These are just some of the important things to consider and look out for when purchashing a home!
our specialists can help you every step of the way finding the home right for you.

   -Salvatore Mamone