When an agent has told you the property you’re about to view has “good bones”, have you wondered what they meant?
It’s a familiar phrase in real estate to describe a house that might be old but has retained its structural integrity. So, if you wanted to upgrade the property, you shouldn’t find yourself spending excessive cash on fixing fundamental problems.
If you’re in the market for a fixer-upper, then one with “good bones” is the ideal purchase because you’ll be able to channel your cash and time towards enhancing the property.
Even if you’re not a construction expert, you’ll identify many of the problems if you know what to look for. And reassuringly, if you do fall in love with a property, you’ll always be able to use a building inspection as your second opinion.
Here are some tips to help you during an inspection.
Basic warning signs
The big red flags to watch for are cracks in foundations or walls, termite damage, mould on walls that signal rising damp, plus sagging floors and roof lines.
Floors
Hardwood floors are often a sign of a well-built older home, but it may pay to check that the foundations are not sitting directly on the soil.
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Windows
Check out the quality of the windows and how they are hung. Try to spot any sign of water damage around the sills. Try opening and closing windows to see if they catch.
Doors
Make sure the doors open and shut easily. A sticky door, or one that won’t close, can signal the building has moved.
Ceiling stains
A coat of paint can hide tell-tale signs of water damage. Nevertheless, watch out for brown marks that betray a water issue. Pay attention to any rooms directly under an upstairs bathroom.
Wall cracks
These are difficult to assess. Sometimes plaster will crack in heat or cold and not be a structural issue. It’s best to point this out to your building inspector for an expert opinion.
Rusty gutters
The gutters themselves can be replaced, but it’s the water damage around them that you should assess. Sometimes water can get under the roof and leak into ceilings from gutters, or broken downpipes can undermine foundations.