New homes & Termite zones
An increasing number of councils across Australia are seeing the value in designating residential zones as termite prone areas in an effort to help local communities avoid costly repairs and horror surprises in the future.
Victoria is the only Aus...
Read moreCommon defects found in homes
Are you buying a home or investment property? Here are some of the common defects that our building inspectors in homes.
Termite damage
The advantages of getting a vendor report before putting your house on the market. Termite damage was found ...
Read moreBeware Of Unqualified Building Inspections
How to avoid unqualified building inspections? In a Fairfax article, Chris Dyce, president of the Australian Society of Building Consultants, says go with experienced building inspectors. Make sure they’ve work experience in the industry and don’...
Read moreAm I An Owner Builder?
Whether you are or aren’t an owner builder can sometimes be a tricky concept to get your head around.
Even if you didn’t personally lift a hammer, but rather project managed different trades to do the work, – you are still, legally, the owne...
Read moreAsbestos Concerns? Call The Experts
Here’s an all too familiar story from the Newcastle Herald: A Glendale property is demolished after its owners found deadly loose-fill asbestos insulation.
This type of asbestos was relatively popular in the1960s and 1970s.
Science now tells ...
Read moreDue Diligence for Home Buyers
Literal meaning of Due diligence is doing a comprehensive appraisal of any buying task undertaken by a prospective buyer, especially to establish its assets and liabilities and evaluate its potential.
It is utmost important to do your due diligenc...
Read moreIs your house cracking up?
Is your house cracking up?
A long, spidery vein is inching its way across the dining room wall. It seems to be spreading even as you stare at it! You’re sure it wasn’t there yesterday! So what does this mean and how can it be fixed?
Don’t...
Read moreTo Buy Or Not To Buy (Off The Plan)
To buy or not to buy (off the plan) is an important issue for an increasing number of new homebuyers and property investors.
When done responsibly with professional guidance (offered by Jim’s Building Inspections, for example) it can be a positi...
Read moreTwo Things You Need To Know About Smoke Alarms
One: Smoke Alarms Aren’t Always Reliable
Smoke alarms aren’t always reliable which is why a professional inspector can make your job easier and life safer. A good inspection takes into account adequate positioning and operational status in orde...
Read moreThe D-Word: Time To Talk Depreciation
Sad fact: Many Australian rental property owners are failing to correctly calculate depreciation.
“I have often seen clients who have owned investment properties for five, six or seven years and have never claimed any form of depreciation becaus...
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