You searched the web for properties that fit your criteria, and one in particular caught your attention. The photographs paint a lovely picture, and the agent swears that this one is something special. But before you get to the open house, be sure to take a moment and remember that you have a job to do…

1. Ignore the trimmings

It’s easy to be romanced by the lovely scented candles, flat screen television or pricey bedspread, but the reality is – you’re not shopping at a department store. This is an important purchase, and when the designer furniture is removed from the house you don’t want any surprises. Make an effort to look past the decorations and really notice the layout, condition, features and drawbacks.

2. Look up, and all around

Take a good look at the ceilings and walls – water damage and leaks can be costly to fix, but the good news is that usually they are difficult to hide as well. Try to use all of your senses and be on the lookout for smells and sounds that might indicate a problem with the property.

3. Check out the neighbours

Your grandparents would probably tell you to buy the ‘worst house on the best street’. There’s a lot to be said for location, and part of the formula is to be surrounded by neighbours who maintain or improve their properties.

Try introducing yourself to the neighbours and see what you find. If the elderly lady next door says “I’m glad they decided to sell that house – we need new fences and they won’t pay up” you might like to leave some room in your budget!

4. What’s most expensive to fix

If the kitchen and the bathroom are a lovely shade of brown and you would like to renovate as soon as possible, make sure you can afford it. These are usually the most expensive rooms to improve, and you need to know what you’re in for. If in doubt, ask a tradesman to inspect the property with you before you make an offer.

5. Ask lots of questions

It pays to ask plenty of questions – a great one is ‘why are they selling?’ If you have twins on the way, and the agent says ‘they want to have another baby’, you might like to consider whether the property is big enough for you.

It’s also a great idea to ask how much the current owners are paying for their utilities. Some houses, by design, tend to generate very large heating and cooling bills, so these are all important considerations.

6. If in doubt – organise a building and pest inspection

Unless you really know what you’re looking at, it always pays to arrange a building and pest inspection. This can be added as a condition when you make an offer on the property. If the vendor is not willing to allow an inspection, you might like to run screaming down the street before making a very costly mistake.