ESTATE LIVING
ESTATE LIVING
Can I visit the home a few times?
Get a feel for the property by visiting more than once and at different times of the day.“ While a road may seem quiet during the day, it could turn into a thoroughfare for school traffic during peak hours. Chat to the owners and ask them what they loved about the home. Hopefully they will also be honest about any issues they encounter. You could also ask them about safety.
Can I lift up the carpets and look through the cupboards?
It’ s not rude to ask to see the floors that may be under carpets or to open cupboards to look for signs of damp or beetle damage. On that note, ask if the home is prone to damp or mould. You could also request a professional home inspection to detect major faults, dampness or noncompliant electrical wiring or geyser installations.
Have there been any recent claims for massive damage from floods or fire?
You should know if there has been recent damage that could have caused structural changes to the home or allowed toxic gases inside.
What are the estimated costs of monthly utilities and are there energy-efficient features?
Utility bills are an unavoidable cost of owning a home. Find out how much the seller pays each month on water and electricity to factor these costs into your budget planning.
You should ask if there are energy-efficient features such as solar power, rainwater harvesting or boreholes, for example. Ask about LED lighting and water-wise fittings which could also save on your electricity and water bills.
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