Hidden defects
5 common concerns in homes for sale
THE concealment of possible defects in properties that are for sale can be concern for those looking to purchase a property.
Hidden defects can often go unnoticed during an open house or property visit unless you engage an experienced property inspector to carry out an inspection prior to purchasing.
While people would hope that honesty is part of the transaction when selling a house, some sellers can be so desperate to sell that they would do what they can to cover up defects.
This can be from filling cracks, and covering it up with a fresh coat of paint to other possible measures.
So when you find your dream home and receive glowing recommendations from the homeowner and the real estate agent, be mindful of this very issue and cover all your bases so you can avoid some nasty surprises after settlement.
According to an article by www. homely.com.au, there are five common concerns that can be easy for a seller to hide which include areas in water damage, leaky roof, structural cracks, flooring issues and the timing of inspections.
“Painting, decorating or strategic placement of furniture makes it easy to conceal water damage and hide early signs of mould,” the article read.
“If there is mould, a strategically placed candle will do the trick in concealing the smell. All of these things are red flags for an experienced building inspector and a thorough check to areas beneath the home, outside the home and foundations needs to be carried out to find out if there is any water damage to the property.”
It stated that without crawling up into the roof space and carrying out an inspection, you are solely relying on the honesty of the real estate agent and homeowner to disclose roof problems.
“Unfortunately, it’s common for homeowners to carry out DIY repair work on a leaky roof, not fixing the problem, but instead, concealing it temporarily.”
The other common defect is structural that is easy to hide with some no gaps filler and a coat of paint or strategically placed furnishings.
“Structural cracks often indicate foundation movement and if they get too big are a serious problem you need to know about. A building inspector can not only identify structural issues, but they can help you work out a monetary value on the repairs that’ll help you during negotiations.”
Additionally creaky or uneven floors can often be the result of movement or perhaps a renovation that hasn’t been performed to code.
“If you think something doesn’t seem right with the floors in a house, don’t ignore it, get a building inspector onto it. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics and money but safety, too.
“Although not a structural issue, pay close attention to the timing of the open for inspections. Is it at a time of day when the traffic is light? Perhaps it’s in the morning when the soft morning sun warms the back veranda and not when the heat overwhelms the front of the house.
“Or, are the open homes only on during the week to avoid the number of cars parked on footpaths during the weekend?”
The article emphasised that uncovering defects from an unbiased inspection was an advantage as a prospective buyer as this would give you the power to negotiate the price once you know what repairs are needed and how much it would cost.
“It can also potentially save you money; knowing about the hidden water leak now will save you thousands to fix a significant defect down the track.”