{"id":46,"date":"2025-10-08T05:18:53","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/?p=46"},"modified":"2025-11-06T04:18:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T04:18:34","slug":"how-to-inspect-a-property-as-a-first-home-buyer-a-buyers-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/how-to-inspect-a-property-as-a-first-home-buyer-a-buyers-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Inspect a Property as a First Home Buyer &#8211; A Buyer\u2019s Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"46\" class=\"elementor elementor-46\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-59b13c30 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"59b13c30\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div 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href=\"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/2025\/10\/08\/\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>October 8, 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a6be1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0a6be1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1256\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-Inspect-a-Property-as-a-First-Home-Buyer.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-21\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-Inspect-a-Property-as-a-First-Home-Buyer.jpeg 1256w, https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-Inspect-a-Property-as-a-First-Home-Buyer-300x155.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-Inspect-a-Property-as-a-First-Home-Buyer-1024x530.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/How-to-Inspect-a-Property-as-a-First-Home-Buyer-768x397.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1256px) 100vw, 1256px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fefb3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3fefb3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying your first home is similar to buying a second-hand car. It might be all good on the outside however, the real issues lie under the bonnet.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In property terms, that \u2018bonnet\u2019 is your inspection report. And for that, you need to have a <\/span><b>property inspection checklist.\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article provides you with <\/span><b>inspection report tips<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and guidance on how to protect your hefty investment.<\/span><\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. What Inspectors Look For<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s understand the types of inspections associated with a property.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1.1 Building Inspection<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inspectors carefully check the foundations, walls, ceilings, floors and roofs to ensure everything is intact.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A wall might be hiding water damage behind its well-finished paint. Inspectors are well-equipped with moisture meters, and their eyes are trained to detect such issues.<\/span><\/p><p><b>What inspectors look for<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cracks in walls or ceilings<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rising damp along brick walls<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaky or water-stained roof<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asbestos in older homes<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Violation of building codes<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1.2. Pest Inspections<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Termites infest your home quietly and eat away at the timber for years.<\/span><\/p><p><b>What inspectors look for<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mud trails along walls or piers<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hollow-sounding timber<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sagging floors<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rodent droppings<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insect nests in roof cavities<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A beforehand inspection can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars if signs of past infestations occur.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1.3. Strata Reports<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are buying an apartment or townhouse, these reports are its X-ray report. It gives you an idea of how well the building is managed and an estimate of future costs.<\/span><\/p><p><b>What inspectors look for<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reserve funds for repairs and upgrades<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upcoming charges for major works<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disputes between owners or with the strata manager<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance plans and insurance coverage<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2. Your Property Inspection Checklist<\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The professional inspector will do his job. However, keep yourself cautious and vigilant. This <\/span><b>property inspection checklist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> enables you to assess the property&#8217;s structure before you purchase it.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2.1 Water Damage<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damages due to water stay hidden behind tiles, under carpets, and inside walls.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Checklist items<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mismatched tiles in bathrooms indicate past repairs done<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damp spots behind showers or under sinks<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repainted the walls in just one room. It might be to cover up previous damage<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft timber or bubbling paint near balcony doors<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discoloured walls are an indication of rising ground moisture.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2.2 Electrical Hazards<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faulty wiring is dangerous and can also void your insurance.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Checklist items:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test all power outlets. You can do it even with your phone charger<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turn on the stoves and ovens for a minute or two<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for non-standard fittings. It may be an indication of exposed wires<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2.3 Plumbing Problems<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flawed plumbing is inconvenient, leading to greater headaches in future.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Checklist items<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water pressure in taps and showers<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drainage speed in sinks and baths<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2.4. Structural &amp; Exterior<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The outside of a property has lots of stories to tell. You just need to give an ear, here eyes.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Checklist items<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for cracks or movement of pillars\/piers under the house<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check for uneven surfaces on driveways and paths. It might be a sign of sinking ground<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does fencing require repairs or an entire replacement?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for sagging roofs or missing tiles<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check for rusted gutters<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The presence of mud tubes and hollow timber is a sign of termite infestation<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2.5. Legal &amp; Compliance<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unapproved property leads to fines or forced demolition.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Checklist items<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check that the granny flats, sheds or extensions are Council-approved<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get confirmation from the local Council<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask for building certificates or occupancy permits<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2.6 Hazardous materials<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older homes may contain materials risky for humans and pets as well.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Checklist items<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asbestos in ceilings, walls, or flooring<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flaking paint or brittle sheeting, especially in homes built before the 1990s<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3. Inspection Report Tips for Buyers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few tips to get the most from your property inspection report.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3.1 Maximising Value<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Study the inspection report thoroughly. Understand what aspects are covered and what are not. If you are doubtful about anything, ask the inspector directly.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might see photos, moisture readings and severity ratings included in the report. Use these to assess urgency. These <\/span><b>inspection report tips<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> help you justify your investment wisely.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3.2 Negotiation Tool<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any leak, termite damage, or any other issue provides you with a tool to negotiate smartly. With the inspection report in hand, you can:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request repairs before settlement<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask for a price reduction<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delay the purchase until issues are resolved<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3.3 Deny and Walk Away<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many times, the cost of repairs may exceed the cost of purchasing the property. In such cases, the best way is to deny the offer and look for another property.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active or past termite infestations, major structural problems or illegal additions are red flags. Never compromise on these until you get a fair deal.<\/span><\/p><h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Conclusion: Buy Smart, Not Sorry<\/strong><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional inspections + personal checks = a complete property picture.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A strong <\/span><b>property inspection checklist<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps first-home buyers in NSW:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimise financial risks<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negotiate with confidence<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make informed decisions<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you sign anything, make sure you\u2019ve looked under the hood. Your future self will thank you.<\/span><\/p><h2><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">FAQs<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Que 1. What does a standard inspection include?<\/b><\/span><\/p><p>A stand inspection includes: building structure, roof, plumbing, electrical system, moisture, pests and safety features.<\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Que 2. How to interpret inspection findings?<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go ahead with a property that demands minor faults. If the cost of repairing the damages is much more, the property isn\u2019t worth it. If you are doubtful about any finding, do not be afraid to ask questions to the inspector.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><p><b><\/b><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Que 3. Can a bad report let me walk away?<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. In case of a bad report, the smartest way is to walk away.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying your first home is similar to buying a second-hand car. It might be all good on the outside however, the real issues lie under the bonnet. In property terms, that \u2018bonnet\u2019 is your inspection report. And for that, you need to have a property inspection checklist.\u00a0 This article provides you with inspection report tips [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46\/revisions\/325"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.checkthisproperty.com.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}