When buying a house, you can often inadvertently overlook the fact that a property can have hidden faults and problems that are potentially very dangerous. This situation is compounded if you?re buying a property for investment purposes as you have to keep in mind that you have a duty of care to your tenants.Building and pest inspections can help safeguard property buyers against investing in fault-ridden properties, and there are a number of things that you can keep an eye out for when house-hunting for that perfect home or investment.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
(303) 235-0400
2861 W. 120th Ave., #200
Westminster, CO
Remax Horizons
(303) 564-4460
6343 West 120th Avenue
Broomfield, CO
K O Real Estate
(303) 422-3888
9035 Wadsworth Pkwy Ste 4020
Broomfield, CO
Leonard Leonard & Assoc
(303) 744-6200
420 Downing St
Denver, CO
PWR Development Corporation
(303) 250-8595
2206 So. Beeler Way
Denver, CO
Woodridge Terrace Nursing & Rehab
(303) 289-1848
5230 E. 66th Way
Commerce City, CO
RE/MAX Northwest, Inc.
(303) 457-4800
12000 Pecos St., Ste. 160
Westminster, CO
Talarico & Associates, Inc.
(303) 433-3199
5800 Franklin Street, Suite 201
Denver, CO
Public Realty Co
(303) 295-2128
2608 Welton St
Denver, CO
Live Urban Real Estate
(303) 455-5483
3627 W 32nd Ave
Denver, CO
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Steps
- Keep an eye out for cracking. Patched and painted internal walls are a sure sign of a cover up, as are external walls concealed behind plants or trellis.
- Remember damp can be a huge problem. It can rise from the ground, come down from the roof or seep out through internal walls due to plumbing problems. You might smell it before you see it, or it may be hidden behind a coat of paint or furniture pushed against the walls.
- Keep in mind that termites, borers and timber rot can all cause structural problems. Watch out for floor damage that's been patched and concealed under carpet, crumbly skirting boards, or weather boards and window sills that have been patched and painted.
- Have a look at the roof. Not many people look at their roof on a regular basis so watch for rusty metal that has been painted, tiles patched with lead or damaged roof framing propped up in the roof space.
- Get under the house. Check for damp that will affect timber sub-floor or stumps, or floors that are temporarily propped to prevent bouncing.
- Have a look at gutters and downpipes. These can be costly to replace so make sure you don't have any rust that's been painted over.
- Note that faulty and illegal wiring or plumbing can be expensive to replace, or if not noticed, can cause a legal nightmare if tenants are involved. These need to be professionally checked and replaced or repaired immediately.
Tips
- Before you buy, get a professional building and pest inspection. This will save you money in the long run and reduce the risk of unexpected repairs.
Sources and Citations
- Some information from this article taken from http://www.yipmag.com.au
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Discover Property "Cover Up"s. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.