Pre-settlement inspection: check your checklist twice

Purchasing your first or subsequent homes is a large purchase whether it’s a home to live in or a property that you are using for investment. The pre-settlement inspection is important to ensure that you have ticked all the boxes on your checklist prior to settlement and any issues are addressed.

Book in the pre-settlement inspection date

Speak with your sales agent and book in a time to carry out the pre-settlement inspection and walk through the property. The sales agent will coordinate a time with the current owner or tenants of the property prior to the date of settlement.

Have your reports on hand

Familiarise yourself with the contract as well as the pest and building reports prior to your inspection to know what you are looking for. Take copies of the reports to the inspection with you so that you can check off and note any areas of difference.

Note any areas of damage or repairs

During the inspection ensure that all contract inclusions are with the property and check any repairs that were required to be completed prior to settlement. Note down any concerns or areas that need attention and discuss these with your agent and solicitor who can address any issues with the vendor before settlement takes place.

Check appliances, electrics, and plumbing

On your walk-through, turn on light switches and check electricity including light globes, rangehoods and oven lights as well as any appliances like dishwashers.

Turning on taps, showerheads and checking toilets for functionality can also address any potential concerns prior to the finalisation of the sale. Testing air conditioners and ensuring pool filters are working can address any potentially costly expenses in the early part of your new home ownership.

Inspect the gardens and landscaping during inspection

Walking around the gardens and outside areas during your inspection will give you the opportunity to check that the property is in good order and that all plants and inclusions have been left at the property. During this inspection, you can also check for any concerns with eaves or guttering, exteriors of windows and leaking taps.

For ease you can create a checklist prior to the inspection for reference and check off as you walk through the property. For any concerns that you may have or areas that need to be addressed, speak with our sales team who can clarify items with the vendor as well as the vendor’s solicitor to guarantee that settlement will go through at the agreed date.

Buying an investment property? Inform yourself about Compliance Awareness.