Home inspection is an essential part of buying a home; here are some important home inspection tips that could save your money and time to keep you from making missteps along the way. http://inspecteast.com.au/blog/2016/08/29/home-inspection-mistakes-facts-and-fiction/

1. Home Inspection Mistakes – Facts
and Fiction

2. With the busy spring selling season nearly upon us, plenty
of would-be buyers are preparing to hit the real estate
websites to see what new stock is about. Potential buyers
may engage a building inspector because they have done so
in the past or have had a great recommendation from family
or friends. Others are only motivated to do an inspection if
they think they can use the report to negotiate a better price.
But what are some of the biggest mistakes they make when
it comes to a home inspection?

3. FICTION – Not every purchase needs an inspection
FACT – A home inspection is one of the most important steps
you can take to make sure your new home is a sound
investment and a safe place to live. It is vital to do your
homework before making the biggest purchase of your life.
Most people would never dream of buying a car without
getting a mechanic or a RACV check. Having a building
inspection done by an experienced building inspector, even on
a new-build home, should be one of the highest priorities for a
buyer because it will assist in making an informed purchase
decision.

4. To the untrained eye a building might appear to be in
good order, but it is a far safer option to draw on the
experience of a reputable building inspector who can look
for problems lurking below the surface. We find newly
renovated constructions which usually look fantastic but
are often not built according to Australian Standards can
be a disaster waiting to happen.

5. FICTION – I have a builder friend who can look over
the building and he will do a similar job to a building
inspector
FACT – I have seen the ”family builder friend” at
many inspections. They rarely inspect the roof or get
down to inspect under floor. They do not have to
equipment to determine moisture or wood decay. You
are also not covered by appropriate insurances.

6. FICTION – A bad report kills a purchase
FACT – A report that flags one or several issues doesn’t
necessarily signal the end of a potential sale. Instead, it
offers the buyer a clear understanding about what may need
urgent attention and what longer term maintenance should
be considered. Not only does it offer a negotiation aspect, it
also provides opportunity to source estimates on the cost of
any repairs before the cooling off period expires or before
signing a contract.

7. FICTION – the real estate agent or vendor must
disclose any major defects in the property I wish to
purchase.
FACT – Having an inspection prior to a home
purchase in Victoria is vital as laws governing house
sales in Victoria stipulate that it is “Buyers Beware”. It
is up to the purchaser to conduct relevant checks to
establish the condition of the property.

8. Potential areas that may push your budget over the edge
or make you so uncomfortable that you may not wish to
go ahead are the presence of asbestos, structural issues,
mold and termite damage. Many times the vendor is not
even aware that the shower is leaking causing major
structural damage or that previous termites have caused
the deterioration of the structure of the dwelling.

9. FICTION – A home being built doesn’t need to be
inspected
FACT – Even experienced homebuyers can believe that a
home under construction doesn’t need an independent
review of work being done. It can be a rookie mistake that
can result in major faults that are not being picked up until
well down the track – often years later, or when it comes to
sale time. Don’t assume a builder or contractor is doing
everything to the highest standard, and remember that an
inspection might be a last line of defense against major
defects.

10. FICTION – A would-be buyer can’t go to the
inspection
FACT – A growing number of buyers are opting to go to an
inspection so that any matters raised can be discussed with
the building consultant and considered in greater context.
This avoids a novice buyer placing an over-emphasis on a
minor problem, or even worse, not realizing the seriousness
of a defect. The inspector must inform the real estate agent
that the potential buyer will be present so make sure you
inform the inspector at the time of booking.

11. FICTION – Recommendations made by an inspector
can be delayed
FACT – There are times when a pre-purchase
inspection flags an issue that might need greater
examination, and a Building Inspector may recommend
that the buyer refers it to a specialist expert before the
sale concludes. Ignoring that advice runs the risk of an
issue turning out to be a far more expensive to rectify or
a much bigger deal than originally anticipated.

12. FICTION – A buyer needs to sign the contract before
they arrange an inspection
FACT – Anyone seriously thinking of buying a home
can exercise the right to have a property inspection
done at any stage during the sales process, and they do
not have to wait until a contract has been signed or a
cooling off period has started. Don’t forget that an offer
on a property can also be made subject to the outcome
of a building inspection report.

13. However many contracts stipulate that the defects need to
be major before you can get out of the contract. Be aware
of any agent who won’t give the inspector access until
after the cooling off period. In every case this has
happened to me there was something big the vendor was
hiding.

14. FICTION – A real estate agent is there for all parties
FACT – An agent is primarily acting in the best
interests of the seller. In comparison, a building
consultant is engaged to give a would-be buyer an
honest, straight opinion about the current condition of
the house and flag any potential issues to be considered
during the sales process. Do your own research and
engage an inspector you feel comfortable with.

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