When you’re thinking of selling your home, property maintenance is often the first item on the ‘to-do list’. Addressing anything that might come up in your building and pest report means a better contract on your home. Why? Because this removes buyer objections and provides fewer options for price negotiation or inflated ‘cost of repair’ ideas based on perceived defects.
Everything about selling is all in the home presentation, showing your home at it’s best. It’s therefore essential to take care of these small and large handyman jobs. Attention to both interior and exterior details will secure a better price for your property. Here are the top 12 most common defects that come up in a building and pest report…
Property Pre-Sale Checklist
This list covers 12 of the most common defects that appear on a Building & Pest Inspection Report. If you address this checklist now, you will be in a more informed position.
Roof Gutters and Valleys—Check and clear roof gutters and silicone joins. If not regularly cleaned timber rot and water damage may have occurred to fascia and soffits.
Sealants to Roof Flashings—Check silicone sealants to roof flashings have not been broken down by the sun.
Cracked or Broken Roof Tiles—Check for cracks to roof tiles and replace or seal them. All pointing to capping tiles should be maintained in good condition to prevent any leakage and stop the likelihood of water damage to internal ceilings.
Cracks to Walls & Ceilings—Check your external / internal walls, ceilings and cornices for any cracks or moisture damage. This could be due to structural movement or water leaks.
Doors & Windows—Adjust and lubricate sliders (doors & windows) – silicone (non oily). Check doors for binding, latching and locking problems. Repair / replace where necessary.
Bathrooms & Showers—Check sealants and grouts to all “wet areas”. Tile glues can “crystallize” in a few years if incorrectly applied. Timber rot and decay can be concealed behind showers and other wet areas.
Exposed / External Timbers—Treat (or paint) all exposed timbers including tops of open decks, floor joists and tops of open pergolas. Moisture will cause timber to decay (dry & wet rot) Avoid having timber posts, stairs, cladding etc in direct contact with the ground. This will help reduce the risk of termites and timber rot.
Posts / Stumps—Check moisture around timber and steel stumps/supports and posts moisture causes decay and rust and can attract termites. Clear soils away from bottom of posts and seal posts from any moisture.
Stormwater / Surface Water Drainage—Check all surface water drains away from the house—600mm wide paving around house is recommended. Water will swell ground clays and cause movement to foundations and crack brick and block walls. Divert all down pipes to curb where possible.
Gardens & Weep Holes in Brickwork—Check trees and gardens are away from foundations of house. Keep weep holes in brickwork clear. Covered weep holes can lead to rising damp and termite infestation.
Termite Management System—If you have had a termite management system installed we recommend you check if it is due for renewal or an annual pest inspection.
Fences, Landscaping & Retaining Timbers—Check all fences, retaining and landscaping timbers for decay, as decaying timbers promote termite activity.
If you are not sure who to talk to regarding these items contact us for a list of our preferred contractors for house and garden maintenance.