What You Should ACTUALLY Look For When Inspecting A Home
In This Week’s How's The Market | Edition 121
What You Should ACTUALLY Look For When Inspecting A Home
A Masterpiece by Ewert Leaf — Where Form, Function & Elegance Unite
‘We need to do better’: Australia’s 1.2m home building goal comes under friendly fire
What You Should ACTUALLY Look For When Inspecting A Home
It’s Saturday morning. You’ve got a coffee in hand, five open homes lined up, and high hopes that today’s the day.
But here’s the real question:
Do you actually know what to look for when inspecting a property?
Here’s the thing: most people (especially first home buyers) walk through a property looking at the wrong stuff.
Furniture. Styling. Maybe the kitchen benchtop.
And I get it — we’ve all been there.
But what should you actually be looking for?
Let’s break it down
Before You Even Step Inside…
I always start with the neighbourhood.
Are you noticing burnt-out cars or beautifully kept gardens?
Is there permit parking?
Is the street super narrow or chaotic to drive down?
Is it easy to get out of the estate without a 3-point turn or a right turn across a main road?
Even the vibe of a neighbourhood matters.
Look at the cars. Look at the lawns. Look at the bins.
House-proud neighbours usually mean a better living experience.
Outside the Property
Once you’re standing out the front, I’m already scanning:
Are the neighbours’ places falling apart or freshly painted?
Are you on the high side or low side of the street? (Higher often means better light and outlook)
Is the garden looked after or overgrown?
Does the property have curb appeal?
Even little things like what kind of trees are lining the street can impact value.
(Yep. True story, in one of the streets in the Gascoigne estate of Malvern East a change from the beautiful old English planes to gumtrees made it the least desirable street in the estate and massively hurt the values).
Stepping Inside - Trust Your Gut
Homes have energy. Sounds a bit woo-woo, but hear me out.
You feel when something's off — musty smells, weird layouts, cold vibes.
Sometimes agents light candles to mask smells.
Sometimes the incense is burning and you’re wondering if you’re buying a house or joining a yoga retreat.
Take a moment to breathe it in… literally.
Knock on Everything (Seriously)
I’ve got a habit now - I knock every wall.
Solid? Likely double brick.
Hollow? Likely plaster.
Cheap cupboard material? You’ll feel it instantly.
Bench looking fresh? Check if it’s solid stone or a stick-on facelift.
I've seen "renovated kitchens" where only the outer cabinet has been done, but inside it’s all rotted chipboard.
The Stuff People Forget to Check
Natural Light - Massive.
Ceiling Height - I’ve been in places where I could touch the ceiling without jumping. Not ideal.
Flow - Does it make sense moving from kitchen → living → backyard?
Bedrooms directly off the living space? Not great.
Only backyard access through a laundry or bedroom? Another con.
Storage – Especially in laundries, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
Old Victorians? Stunning ceilings. But usually no built-in robes.
Kitchen & Wet Areas = Big Clues
The kitchen isn’t just about looks. It’s the heart of the home.
Open every drawer.
Try every cupboard.
Check for soft-close hinges (not a deal breaker, but tells you about quality).
Water stains under the sink = 🚩
Cracked tiles in the bathroom = could be cosmetic, could be deeper.
Is there a dishwasher?
Is there a rubbish bin draw or would the rubbish bin sit on the floor?
Backyard & Neighbours
Look over the back fence.
Are your neighbours halfway through a reno? Is there a freshly cleared block waiting for noisy construction? Are there privacy concerns?
Pro Tip: Write Down What You Don’t Like
Even if the house is a no-go, take note:
“I didn't like how dark it was.”
“The layout felt awkward.”
“The kitchen looked new but was dodgy up close.”
It helps refine your gut feel and speeds up your decision-making next time.
Stay ahead of the market — get the real auction results every week!
What The Agents Are Saying
Stock stays quiet.
Agents are still on holidays.
B grade assets are still struggling.
A grade of assets are making records.
Inspection numbers were high last weekend for affordable properties in good areas with one agent saying he had 25 groups through on a property on its second Saturday which is strong.
No major changes to what we have been hearing for the past month.
The Wow Factor!
27 Pembroke Street, Surrey Hills, Vic 3127
Step inside an award-winning sanctuary where every inch speaks of prestige, precision, and pure design excellence.
Standout Features
Soaring 3m commercial glazing & expansive skylights flooding interiors with natural light
Architectural staircase wrapped in Spanish clay brick & skylight drama
Seamless indoor-outdoor flow to a private, northeast patio, spa & wireless electric heated pool
Dual-level living with a luxe ground-floor suite + a peaceful upstairs parents' retreat
Grand onyx marble foyer leading to a custom Diana Royal marble office
Price guide: $3,900,000 - $4,290,000
In The Media
‘We need to do better’: Australia’s 1.2m home building goal comes under friendly fire
A bold national promise is under pressure. Australia’s ambitious pledge to build 1.2 million new homes by 2029 has just taken a hit - and the alarm bells are ringing from within.
Leaked Treasury notes reveal doubts that the Housing Accord’s target will be met, warning the government just weeks after celebrating the policy’s one-year anniversary.
Even the Treasurer admits: “We will need to do better.”
With only 168,050 homes starting in 2024 — well short of the 240,000 annual goal — industry leaders are calling for urgent reform, faster planning approvals, stronger incentives for builders, and smarter infrastructure investment.
Experts say it’s still possible — but only if action ramps up now. The goalpost is set. The pressure is on. And every Aussie watching the housing crisis unfold wants answers.
Will we rise to meet the moment? Or fall short of the homes we desperately need?
Final Thoughts
Property inspections aren’t just a box to tick - they’re a skill you build.
The more open you go, the sharper your eye gets.
And trust me — by the tenth one, you’ll be tapping walls and scanning rooftops like a seasoned buyer’s agent.
If you or someone you know would like assistance to buy this year, book in a call and we can discuss if we can help.
Thanks for reading this far!
We value feedback and if you have any suggestions on what you would like covered in the future please email me at tristan@tomii.com.au
Happy Buying!
Note: This is general advice and does not take into consideration your objectives, situations or needs. Please consider if this advice is suitable for you and your circumstances and speak to a professional before making any financial decisions.
