Going to an open inspection with pre-approved home loan in hand is always an exciting thing. Like visiting a pet store and taking the time to look at each tail-wagging puppy, each new home brings about fresh potential and promise.
This is especially true for homes that have been well-staged for viewing. After all, competitions in many cities markets have been stiff. According to CoreLogic RP Data, 3,068 home auctions were held on the weekend of November 7 across the combined capital cities. In such a landscape, every vendor will want to get any edge that can over their neighbours.
When drawn in by the tidy, gleaming kitchen and the lemon scent swirling through the air, it can be easy to lose yourself in the comfort and optimism behind it it all and put a home loan forward without quite doing your due diligence. While it’s not like people hardly scoop up properties on a whim, there are still certain, more specific details that some people don’t pay attention to.
Flooring
How the property is floored can make a big difference to your living situation. Obviously, you might want to have carpet if you live in a chilly region and have hard flooring in hotter areas. But there are health concerns to think about too.
According to the Authoritative Institute of Health and Welfare, one in ten people have asthma. Clearly, it’s a common ailment and one worth thinking about. There is still some debate revolving around which flooring type is better in accommodating asthmatics, but Cavalier Bremworth recommends wool and other non-synthetic carpets as the ideal choice. Research from the German Asthma and Allergy Foundation shows that carpet actually traps allergens and dust mites that trigger asthmatic reactions. Furthermore, wool is dry enough to prevent such organisms from thriving while being naturally soft on the skin.
Before putting down your fixed or variable home loan down on a house, think about whether you’re willing to pay for a floor renovation if it doesn’t quite meet your preferences.
Maintenance check
It’s always important to put on your engineer’s hat and check for signs of structural or water damage. You’ll want to keep an eye out for:
- Mould (these may just look like dark patches)
- Water stains or corrosion in the bathroom
- Sagging ceilings
- A damp smell around cabinets
Don’t disregard these observations, especially since they’re usually signs of a larger issue. As explained by Australian Building Inspection Services, flaws like poor drainage, sub-floor hindrances, subpar ventilation design and building materials that are of cheap quality are just some of the causes of structural dampness. Ignoring these problems could come back and bite you later in the form of hefty repair bills.
Now, you might have a better idea of what to look out for when visiting open inspections.