Preparing for your buyers Pre Purchase Inspection
Formally accepting an offer on your home is an exciting moment for any homeowner but it can become quite a nervous time waiting to hear the results of the potential buyers building and pest report. While there is no pass or fail, preparing for a pre purchase inspection can help calm the nerves.
Any responsible “Contract of Sale” will include a condition subject to building and pest reports.
Rest assured, you cannot pass or fail a pre-purchase building and pest inspection. It is also important to remember that the report is in no way a reflection of you as a homeowner.
The building inspection is a snapshot of the condition of the home at a point of time. Condition is compared to similarly constructed and reasonably maintained buildings of approximately the same age.
The pest inspection is looking for the presence of or damage from subterranean termites, seasoned wood borers and fungal decay (rot).
What to expect on the day of your buyers Building and Pest Inspection
The inspector will be at your home for 2-3 hours to carry out the inspection.
Generally, 1-1.5 hours is spent outside the home inspecting the roof system, exterior of the home, subfloor (if applicable) and any outbuildings or structures within 30m of the home. The remaining 1-1.5 hours will be spent inside the home inspecting all internal areas of the home. This includes the interior of the roof space.
Please ensure access is available to these areas prior to the arrival of the building and pest inspector by unlocking gates, garages and outbuildings and ensure subfloor and roof space access is kept clear and unlocked.
Pre-Purchase inspections are visual, non-invasive which means the inspector will not cut, break apart, dismantle, remove, or move objects in the course of the inspection. The inspector will be taking many photos of all areas of the home as part of the inspection as well as using non-invasive tools including moisture meters, radars and thermal imaging cameras.
Be mindful that buyers often accompany building and pest inspectors at the time of inspection and may feel uncomfortable asking questions are present throughout the process. It may be worth considering vacating the property for the duration of the inspection.
Tips for preparing for your Buyers Building and Pest Inspection
Do everything you can to present your home in its best possible state but don’t be discouraged if your inspector comments on a number of defects, they will report on everything they see. The inspection is not a wish list for the buyer, it is an overview of the condition of the home at the time of inspection.
Some quick tips to assist your inspector in providing the buyer an informed overview of the home.
- Have a spring clean
- Documentation of previous pest control
- Clear vegetation away from the homes foundation
A vendor building and pest report is also a great way to gain confidence in the condition of your home. Check out our blog post on vendor inspection reports for more information!
Inexpensive Maintenance
Your buyers building and pest report will include anything the inspector observed at the time of the inspection.
Here is a handy list of common maintenance items you can address prior to your inspection!
- Remove loose timbers from around the home and sub floor
- Seal around any external wall penetrations
- Check subfloor is dry and well ventilated
- Caulking behind kitchen sink, laundry trough, vanities, showers and baths
- Replace cracked/broken glass
- Replace damaged fly screens
- Secure loose railings
- Tighten loose door hardware
