Check your property for defects...

Although the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act does offer a certain level of protection to buyers, knowing what danger signs to look for before you sign on the dotted line could end up saving you valuable time and money.

Obvious things to keep an eye on are:

Signs of water leaks and rising damp: Viewing a property while it is raining can often prove beneficial in this regards. Buyers should look for water stains on walls, mould growth and damp patches in plaster work. It is always a good idea to examine all the external walls of buildings and to check that the guttering is in good condition and is able to handle the water run-off.

Horizontal and vertical cracks in the plaster and brick work: Although a vertical crack is deemed far more serious than the horizontal variety, not all cracks are detrimental to the building itself. However, if in doubt, buyers should call on the services of a structural engineer who will quickly ascertain the extent and seriousness of the problem and advise a course of action.

Electrical compliance certificate: This valuable piece of paper does not guarantee that all electrical appliances and fittings in the property are in good working order. The purpose of the certificate is to ensure that electrical wiring, appliances and fittings have been correctly installed and do not pose a safety hazard or fire risk.

The plumbing: Many aspects of plumbing are unseen and as a result problems very often only become apparent after transfer. Therefore it is important for buyers to find out what systems the home has in place. Examples of this would be septic tanks, conservance tanks, water borne sewerage and ecologically designed sewage systems. Again this area of the home is often viewed as being out of sight and out of mind. However, the costs of replacing and maintaining these systems need to be taken into consideration.

The boundaries of a property: It is always a good idea to establish that boundary walls are correctly positioned and that the property is not encroaching on any surrounding properties.

With compliments -The RE/MAX Team