Investigate what lies beneath
Buying a home is risky business. After a lengthy search, you’ve found your perfect house in the right suburb but neglected to investigate what lies beneath the surface. Sellers in South Africa hide behind the ‘voetstoots’ clause and can get away with a myriad of undetected defects.
"As a buyer you need to do your homework", advises Eric Bell, CEO of Inspect- A-Home, a national home inspection company. "Buying a home will probably be one of the most expensive investments you ever make, you don't want to rush into it without checking out some key elements." Bell recommends a thorough examination of the home, paying particular attention to the following:
Damp
Do you notice signs of paint blistering or peeling
off in places? You might also see dark stains
or a white powdery substance on the walls,
ceilings and the inside of cupboards. This could
be an indication of damp and, depending on
the severity, could be quite expensive to repair.
Leaky Roofs
A good time for house hunting is on rainy days,
especially if you are looking at buying an older
home. Look for evidence of a leaking roof, do you notice any water marks on the ceiling
boards, are there any dried streaks running
down the walls? Repairing a leaking roof can
be extremely costly so ask the agent to find out
if there are any problems with the roof.
Gutters
Does the home have gutters? If so, are they in
proper working order? Check for holes, visible
gaps, broken off ends and also ensure that
the drains/gullies are clear of debris and look
unblocked. Poor storm water management
can cause subsidence of the foundations,
which will cause cracks to appear.
Cracks
Most homes do have some light plaster
cracks and these are not cause for concern.
However, if you notice large cracks in the
walls it would be best to have them analysed
as these could be structural cracks, which
could impair the integrity of the wall structure.
If underpinning of the foundations and metal
stitching of the cracks is required, be sure that
there will be a large bill attached!
Swimming Pool
Ask the agent to find out if the pool motor and
the filtration system are in good condition.
How old is the pool and has the motor been
repaired before? If it is a new pool, ask for a
copy of the plans and the guarantee. Check
the pool paving, is it in good condition and
are there expansion joints in the paving
around the pool? Can you notice any cracks
on the steps or in the pool?
Plumbing
Turn on the taps to check the water pressure
and ask the agent to find out how old the
geyser is. If it is an old geyser, make sure that
it is covered by your insurance policy. Your
insurance might want the geyser installation
updated to comply with the SANS 10254
regulations. Another tip: flush the toilets, check
the base and behind it to see if you notice any
leaks.
Paint
Does the home look like it has just received a
new coat of paint? Most agents advise sellers
to paint their homes before placing it on the
market. However, sometimes a fresh coat of
paint is used to hide things more sinister. Ask the
agent if you can look inside the cupboards as
often sellers touch up the walls but leave the
cupboards in their original state. The inside of
the cupboards might reveal cracks, damp or
even tubes of Polyfilla. If you do come across
these, you need to investigate further.
Home Inspection
A professional home inspection is a worthwhile
investment. Inspectors are trained to detect
defects and they perform a thorough
inspection from the roof cavity (check the
integrity of the roof trusses) through to the
boundary wall. They issue a detailed report,
supported by photographs, highlighting areas
of concern and what maintenance needs to
take place to rectify any problems uncovered.
They will also provide clients with an estimated
cost to repair the items identified and this will
provide you, the buyer, with a tool to negotiate
a more realistic price.