House viewing guide
Walk through the seven areas that matter on any Australian home, with the questions to ask the agent at each one.
How it works. Enter the property address above to begin, and we'll guide you through the roof, walls, foundations, plumbing, electrical, windows, and gutters, with questions to ask the agent at each step.
What does this inspection checklist cover?
Hometrics gives you a checklist for looking at 7 main areas of a property yourself. For each area, you'll pick the material, work through a list of things to look for, and see questions to ask your real estate agent.
Roof
Work out the roof material (terracotta, Colorbond, concrete tiles) and look for storm damage, leaks, cracked tiles and loose ridge capping.
Walls
Work out the wall type (brick veneer, double brick, fibre-cement) and look at signs of water damage, the paint, and anything that raises fire safety questions.
Foundations
Work out the foundation type and look for cracking, past restumping, drainage problems, and signs of sinking or soil movement.
Plumbing
Look at the hot water system's age, look for leaks, notice the water pressure, and ask about blocked drains and recent plumbing work.
Electrical
Look at the switchboard type, look for safety switches (RCDs), and ask about older wiring that may not meet current Australian rules.
Windows
Look at window frames and seals, and try opening them. Look for leaks, fogged double-glazing and the state of the security screens.
Gutters
Look at the gutters, the downpipes and whether water drains away from the house. In bushfire zones, notice how many leaves build up.
Why use a property inspection checklist when buying a house?
A pre-purchase property inspection checklist helps you avoid costly surprises after settlement. In Australia, properties are sold "as-is" unless specific defects are disclosed, so it's the buyer's responsibility to identify issues before signing.
This tool walks you through each area one at a time, so it's harder to forget something in the excitement of an open home. It isn't a building inspection, and it can't find hidden problems. The agent questions are drawn from common due diligence practices recommended by buyers' advocates and building inspectors across Australia.
Use this checklist alongside (not instead of) a professional building and pest inspection from a licensed inspector.
Common questions to ask at a property inspection
What questions should I ask about the roof when buying a house?
Ask when the roof was last replaced, whether there have been any leaks or storm damage, and whether any insurance claims have been made. Also ask if there are any active warranties on roofing materials or recent repair work.
What should I check for in the foundations of an Australian home?
Look for diagonal cracks from door and window corners, uneven floors, or doors that stick. Ask the agent if the property has ever been restumped (common in homes built before 1970s), underpinned, or assessed by a structural engineer.
What is cladding compliance and why does it matter?
Following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, Australian state governments identified combustible aluminium composite cladding (the panels covering the outside walls) on many apartment buildings. Buildings over a certain height have to be audited, and any cladding that doesn't meet the rules has to be fixed. That can mean significant strata levies for owners.
What electrical issues should I look for when buying an older Australian home?
Homes built before 1980 may have aluminium wiring or rubber-sheathed cables that pose fire risks. Older homes may also have ceramic fuse boxes rather than modern circuit breakers with safety switches (RCDs). Check if the switchboard has been upgraded and if RCDs are installed.