What to look for in a home

How to decide if a home is right for you and avoid nasty surprises.

It’s easy to get confused when you’re doing the rounds of the open homes. After a while it can be hard to remember the features of all the houses you’ve seen. But with a little preparation you can turn potential confusion and chaos into order.

Needs and wants

Start by writing a list of the things you need in a home. Think about things like location, the number of bedrooms and living areas, deck for entertaining, office space, play area for kids, garaging and other practicalities. Then write a list of the things you want in a home. Things like a view, architectural character, top notch appliances, designer kitchen, swimming pool and other ‘wish list’ items. Use your ‘needs and wants’ to evaluate each of the homes you see. It’s a good idea to take notes while you’re looking around.

What should you check when looking at a property?

Our interior checklist and exterior checklist will help you assess each house you look at, so you can make an informed decision about what to buy. If you can’t answer any of the questions on these checklists, ask the real estate agent, the owners or even the neighbours. The local council could help too. If you’re really keen on a property, it could be a good idea to have it checked over by a professional builder or house inspection company. This minor, upfront cost can help to uncover things that could be a nasty surprise down the track.

How to avoid buying a leaky building

If you’re looking at homes built since 1990, you need to keep your eyes open for leaky building symptoms. Claddings associated with leak problems include stucco, EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system) and texture-coated fibre cement. You should also be wary of multi-storey houses, narrow or non-existent eaves and complex architectural designs. For detailed information about leaky building problems, visit consumerbuild.org.nz

House interior checklist

General

  • How old is the house? Could it need rewiring? Is it insulated at all? What rooms get the most sun?
  • What sort of heating does it have? Is the water heating electric or gas? If gas, does it use a storage tank or is it a continuous flow system?
  • Has the house had any additions or have renovations been made over time? If so, have the permits been signed off properly? What is the zoning for the house?
  • What chattels (curtains, carpets, appliances) are staying with the house? Is there an alarm? Can it be monitored?
  • Any cracks in the windowsills or walls that might indicate movement? Are the floors level? Do the windows and doors open and shut easily?
  • Are there any water stains or mouldy patches on the ceilings and walls that might indicate leaks?

Tip

Get a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) report from the local council to find out if the house is fully permitted. Ask the council about any other reports you could get, such as copy of the property file which some councils let you access online

Kitchen

  • Is there enough pantry and cupboard space? Enough bench space? Is there room for your fridge/freezer?
  • What’s the age and quality level of the appliances? Does the extraction fan suck enough?
  • Is the floor easy to clean? Is there a waste disposer? Where does rubbish go?
  • When would you need to renovate?

Tip

Pretend you are making a meal. Are work surfaces, fridge and cooking areas close enough to make cooking easy?

Bathrooms/toilets

  • How old are the fittings? What’s the water pressure like? Enough ventilation/extraction?
  • When would you need to renovate?
  • Any water damage? Cracked tiles or peeling paint? Easy-clean floor?
  • Separate toilet or in bathroom? Separate shower and/or bath?
  • Enough storage? Adequate mirrors and lighting?

Bedrooms

  • How many? Singles or doubles? Will your furniture fit?
  • How’s the wardrobe space? Enough electrical outlets? Phone jack? What sort of light fittings? Any reading lights?
  • Is the ceiling paint in good order? Do the walls need work (paint or wallpaper)?
  • Would road noise, proximity to neighbours or television noise from an adjacent living room prevent you from sleeping?
  • Listen with windows open and closed

Living and dining areas

  • Enough electrical outlets? Enough phone jacks? Is there a Sky dish? Where is the aerial outlet?
  • Will your furniture fit? Good access to outdoor living areas?
  • Is there a rumpus room or alternative living space for kids? Is the dining area separate or open plan?

Laundry

  • Are there fittings to connect a washing machine? Is there a proper air venting system for the dryer?
  • What’s the tub like?
  • Is there adequate storage for buckets and mops, cleaning stuff, shoe cleaning gear, pet paraphernalia etc?

Office

  • Space for your desk? Built in shelves?
  • Enough electrical outlets? Phone jack? Any reading lights?

Storage

  • Is there a heated cupboard for linen and towels? Is there ‘general purpose’ storage for miscellaneous items?
  • Is there somewhere for sports equipment and footwear? Where would you keep bulky items like suitcases?

Attic/roof space

  • Is it insulated? Any sign of leaks? What about signs of rats, mice or birds?
  • Suitable for storage? Easy to access?

House exterior checklist

Decks

  • What are the decks made of? When would they need re-cladding?
  • Are there any decks on top of rooms? If so, are there any signs of water damage in the room below?
  • Are high decks legally fenced?

Tip

Imagine you’re having friends over for a barbecue. Where would the barbecue go and is there room for outdoor dining furniture?

Roof cladding and spouting

  • Is the roof cladding in good condition? If not, what would be required to bring it up to standard?
  • Are there any skylights? If there are, are they watertight?
  • If there is a chimney, is it usable?
  • Do the downpipes and spouting appear to be in good condition?

Tip

Visit the house on a rainy day and watch the guttering and roof in action. See if the section drains quickly.

Wall cladding

  • What sort of cladding has been used? Is it in good condition? If not, what would be required to bring it up to scratch?
  • If wall cladding is plaster, any cracks?
  • What type of window joinery? Any maintenance needed to windows and doors?

Basement/under-floor area

  • Can you see any leaky pipes? How old is the plumbing?
  • Is the under-house area dry? Any under-floor insulation?
  • Are the foundations (piles) in good order?

Tip

Bring a torch so you can see.

Garage

  • How many cars will fit? What is the door opening system? Can the garage be locked to keep your things secure?
  • Is there a workbench for handyman projects? Is the lighting adequate?
  • Is there storage for gardening equipment, tools, paint pots and craft materials? Is there storage for sports gear and camping equipment?
  • Is there internal access to the house?

Section

  • Are the boundaries of the property marked with a fence or pegs? Is the fence in good condition? Would it keep dogs and small children in or out?
  • Does the garden need work? How much lawn is there to mow? Could kids play here? Any fruit trees? How much regular maintenance would be required to keep garden, lawn, hedges and trees tidy?
  • Is there a clothesline? If so, how close is it to the laundry?
  • What material has been used for the driveway? When will it need resurfacing? What are the paths like? Is there any off-street parking? Can cars turn around, or do they need to back out?
  • Can you see any evidence of flooding or drainage problems on the property (boggy patches)?
  • If there are retaining walls, are they in good order? Are there any un-retained banks that could collapse onto the house?

Neighbourhood

  • Is the area desirable? Is the value of the property likely to increase more quickly than other similarly-priced areas? 
  • How busy is the road? In the morning? At night? In the weekends? Would small children and pets be safe?
  • How noisy is the area? What about motorways, raceways, airports?

Tip

Park in the street outside the house at various times of the day to monitor traffic and noise levels.

  • Are the other houses in the street in good condition? What are the neighbours like?
  • What schools is the house zoned for? Primary? Intermediate? Secondary?
  • Are there any parks or community facilities nearby that you would use? Where is the nearest shopping centre/shopping mall? If you needed milk and bread, how far would you have to walk or drive?
  • What’s public transport like in this area? Could you get to work without driving?

Tip

Call the local council and ask if there are any major developments planned for the area.