Whether you’re looking to buy a new home or you simply want to keep a close eye on the one you currently live in, there are a number of warning signs that, if you notice them at any property, you should take action on immediately.
Here are some common property warning signs you should never ignore:
The Roof’s in Poor Condition
If the roof has slates missing, looks like it’s been poorly installed or has any tell-tale signs of leaks, it’s a sure sign that some major attention is needed. Roof problems like these can indicate everything from dry rot to leaks, all of which will get worse over time and will be much costlier to put right if you don’t act as soon as you notice them. You also should not buy a house with a bad roof unless you have the current owners inspect and repair it first.
Termite Holes
If you notice any small holes in your wooden beams, furniture or flooring, there is a good chance that you have a few little visitors in your home. Even if there are only a couple of holes, you’d do well to call in an extermination company like, Turner Pest, who will be able to investigate further and get rid of the problem before the property starts crumbling around you.
You Live in or Around a Flood Zone
This is particularly important when you’re looking to buy a house because properties that are located in a flood zone have a good chance of becoming flooded. Although some homes in a flood zone will never experience any problems, many will, so if you do own/decide to buy one, you will need to take a few precautions like installing floodgates, to protect the property.
Mildew
If there’s mildew on the walls, you don’t have to panic, but you will need to investigate further. A house that is sporting mildew stains could suffer from leaky plumbing and might be the first sign of a bigger problem. Call in a plumber and have them investigate as soon as possible to avoid a ceiling collapsing, sewerage swilling catastrophe!
Electrical Issues
If the fuse box is always blowing, your phone charger doesn’t seem to last five minutes, and the lightbulbs are always flickering, the property probably doesn’t have a ghost, but it might just be suffering from faulty wiring. Not only can faulty wiring be extremely expensive to put right, but it can be a very real fire hazard and requires immediate attention. You probably won’t want to buy a property with faulty wiring without considering that it could set you back between $2000-20000 to put right!
The Garden is a Jungle
When it’s your own property, the garden being a jungle signifies nothing more than your own laziness, but if you’re looking to buy a property and the garden hasn’t been touched for decades, there’s a good chance the house won’t have been either, and you should inspect every inch of the place even more carefully than you usually would before making a decision.
By taking notice and dealing with property problems quickly, you can prevent all manner of costly mistakes from buying a bad property to letting the termites take over! So, remain vigilant and look after your house.
