Beware of Pool Fence Safety Certificates being issued on unlawful pool fences

You’ve just purchased your new house and all appears to be proceeding smoothly. You’re building inspection report did not highlight an array of disastrous issues and the pest inspectors report confirmed that your house was free from termite attack. Even the valuer is impressed with your negotiating skills and your final purchase price. If the house you are purchasing has a swimming pool there will however be one more hurdle to cross. The vendor, in accordance with new pool fencing laws, should provide you with a pool fencing safety certificate. The problem is the pool fence safety certificates are often not worth the paper they are written on.

Does a soft real estate market spell the end of honesty for estate agents?

In a softening real estate market, the real estate industry, along with its complimentary industries such as building and pest inspectors need to maintain their most professional and ethical standards.

How to snare a bargain property

WEAKNESS in the real estate market has reduced property prices, but finding a bargain still requires research and a businesslike approach by investors. A low price doesn't automatically mean it's a bargain, as other prices in the market may also be lower, but experts say there are several strategies to help buyers get a good deal. "Keep an eye on properties on the market because generally speaking, the longer a property languishes on the market the keener the vendor is to sell," says university lecturer, author and property investor Peter Koulizos.

When signing a contract, should the Building & Pest Inspection clauses be for 7 or 14 days?

In most cases obtaining access for the Building Inspection, undertaking the Building Inspection and subsequently providing a detailed Building Inspection Report can be completed within a seven day period. It should however be noted that by the time this process has run its course it might leave you with little time to absorb the information and act upon the findings within the Building Inspection Report.

Should I trust a report supplied by the vendor?

A report supplied by a vendor is commonly known as a Pre-Sale Building Inspection report. In most cases, the vendor obviously wants a Building Inspector to provide them with a report that highlights very few if any faults of significance whilst undertaking the inspection for the least amount of cost outlay. The vendor is not acting in the purchasers best financial interests