By Eion Towle
Buying a house is a pain in the neck for most Malaysians especially at this time when prices are high. Even worse are the common predicaments that befall any careless or unfortunate buyer.
Here are four typical house problems that we can easily miss.
They are, however, easily rectified.
The project could turn sour
In truth, there is never a guarantee on the completion of any project. Over the course of about 20 years, there have been numerous cases of customers losing their purchase deposits as a result of the project failing to take off.
There is no foolproof way to solve the problem, but your best bet would be to purchase from a reputable, well-known and listed company, and to have a clear understanding of your financial situation.
Major structural defects
A faulty or hasty primary inspection can cause a huge amount of problems to surface shortly. Things such as the roof, drainage, wall stains and more can present themselves as mere vexations to life-threatening complications.
The most alarming drawback would be the immense difficulty in claiming back any amount of money once the completion and exchange have been finalised.
To avoid such intricate weaving of issues, it is highly recommended that the purchaser reviews the legislation pertaining to purchasing a house.
Be prepared for everything and don't leave anything to chance.
Rely on specialists and familiarise yourself with a clear view of your rights.
Pest problems
Typically, houses in the more rural parts of an area will be more prone to pest infestation. Pests can be docile like cockroaches and ants or baleful like hornets and wasps. The worst kinds are those that destroy furniture and architecture because of the high repair cost.
The safest step in dealing with this problem is to seek professional pest inspection before signing the contract. This inexpensive tack can save you from endangering your life or forcing you to pay an exorbitant amount to settle.
But even if the inspection is expensive, it is likely that the repercussions of neglect can cost many times more.
Amateur craft and quality
The most common problems to look out for are those concerning plumbing, carpentry, electrical work and leaky faucets and toilets.
These four main areas can catalyse a whole list of headaches in the future and even endanger the life of occupants.
It is essential for the buyer to observe and analyse the dimensions of the house before making a commitment, regardless of how much you trust the seller. The simple act of looking out for things that seem odd or alarming can go a long way, especially when you’re about to live in that house.
There will always be some form of problem in every house that's ready to befall an unfortunate occupant who fails to see it. But if you manage to nip it in the bud and rectify matters, then you have one less problem to worry about.
