Inspecting thatched roofs
Thatch specifications HouseCheck home inspectors take the following factors into account when inspecting thatch roofs:Thatch should have a minimum thickness of 175 mm and a maximum thickness of around 250 mm and the thatch should be well-compacted. Good compaction of the thatch results in better durability and will also slow down the spread of fire. […]
Do estate agents think some home inspectors are deal killers?
Are home inspectors deal killers? Of course they do. But my definition of a deal killer may be different from yours. A deal killer is not a home inspector who objectively discloses the condition of a house in a balanced and unemotional manner . A deal killer is a home inspector who makes mountains out […]
Chaz Everitt advises that buyers should use home inspectors
This week Berry Everitt, CEO of leading estate agency Chas Everitt has published a list of tips for first time home buyers. He says that before signing a sales agreement, buyers should ask every question they can think of about the property and preferably also get the house inspected by a professional home inspector. You […]
How to diagnose damp problems
Damp damage to house walls is frequently encountered by HouseCheck inspectors. HouseCheck inspectors are equipped with sensitive moisture meters which enable them to determine whether the visible damp damage is old, unrepaired, damp damage or whether the surface is still wet. Wet surfaces indicate that the problem is on-going. HouseCheck inspectors also use their experience […]
Due diligence on sectional title units is vital
Prospective buyers should do a thorough due diligence of a sectional title property before committing to a purchase. This should include both a condition inspection report (home inspection) and a due diligence of the body corporate. As most people know, a sectional title property differs from a freehold property in that the freehold property owner […]
Another top estate agent advises full home inspection
Sellers should consider professional home inspections before putting their properties on the market, says Lanice Steward, managing director of Knight Frank Anne Porter. Steward points out that most estate agencies now require sellers to sign property condition reports, but some sellers who sign such reports, may not be aware of some of the defects in […]
Voetstoots leaves an expensive mess
An expensive mess for home buyers, resulting from a voetstoots clause, is well-illustrated by the reporting of an Appeal Court judgement in the Cape Times of 28 March 2013. The facts are: A thatch roof house in Gauteng was sold voetstoots. Aware that thatch could be a problem, the buyers wanted some assurance that the […]
Seller’s inspections help the sales process
A transparent willingness by the seller to opt for full disclosure of the condition of the home creates credibility for the seller and often helps facilitate the sales process, says John Graham CEO of HouseCheck. “House inspections are necessary for both the sellers and the buyer,” says Graham. “Sellers benefit from an inspection before putting […]
Detecting the causes of damp
Damp, often in the corner of a room is sometimes seen by HouseCheck home inspectors. This is likely to be rising damp, or it may be damp from a leaking pipe in an adjoining bathroom, or maybe penetrating damp caused by a garden sprinkler continually wetting an outside wall. Rising damp is usually caused by […]
Roof replacement or repair?
Roof replacement or repair Some older house roofs in South Africa need replacement rather than repair. A home inspection will help identify if roof replacement or roof maintenance is the best option. Much of South Africa’s housing stock is in the older suburbs, which were established before or soon after the Second World War. These […]