Buying a home begs the kind of decision-making that you probably
will never encounter in any other situation. You may look at dozens of houses
before you finally settle on the one that fits you. Remember though, that even
if you do, you must do complete research in order to make sure that the house
is absolutely perfect and suitable for your needs---and not hiding any rules or
additional repairs that could cost you more money.
Potential home buyers have a lot of choice when it
comes to getting the property they want. They can choose from terraced houses, landed properties, studio or a condo for sale in Singapore. The
real estate market is booming because of newer developments that really
take into consideration the buyer's needs and modern conveniences, so there's
no need to worry on that front.
But once you decide on a house, know that there are some things you
need to investigate before making that final yes.
ConsumerBuild notes that it is important to be confident of the property
you are looking at. As such, it is best to go through a thorough check, and you
can use this checklist from ConsumerBuild as a guide.
1. On the outside examine the general condition of the cladding,
drainpipes and roof. Look for damaged paintwork, rotten wood, rust, holes,
cracks and crumbling mortar, and broken roof tiles.
2. Inside, test the floors by jumping up and down to see if the
floorboards feel springy or squeak. Does the floor feel like it is sloping?
Check for cracks in the walls and windows, or doors that don’t close properly.
It may be an indication of problems with the piles or settling.
3. Does the property smell damp or are there indications of dampness such
as stained ceilings and walls, mould, bubbling or stained paint, bulges in the
walls and rotting skirting boards?
4. Check all the power points are working by using a power-point
tester, which you can buy from a hardware store. Take note of problems with the
electrical system like scorch marks on power points.
In the kitchen and bathrooms, check for broken tiles, damp around
sinks and showers, mould and missing sealant.
5. Check that built-in appliances, for example, the dishwasher and
stove, are working.
6. Turn on every tap in the house and check the water pressure and any
strange noises in the plumbing.
7. Around the section, check the condition of fences, paving and
driveways.
8. Look over the boundary fences for any potential issues with neighbors, major roads or noisy establishments.