- Verify listing accuracy — Check address, features, and price against title
- Review property history — Previous sales, price changes, days on market
- Check flood maps — State government flood mapping tools
- Check bushfire maps — BAL ratings and zones
- Review planning portal — Zoning, overlays, and restrictions
- Search development applications — Nearby developments that could affect value
- Title search — Current ownership and any caveats
- Encumbrances — Easements, covenants, restrictions
- Land size verification — Survey vs listed size
- Boundary confirmation — Fences match title boundaries
- Outstanding rates — Council and water rates current
- Building inspection — Licensed inspector report
- Pest inspection — Termite and pest activity
- Roof condition — Age, material, any leaks
- Foundation — Cracks, movement, drainage
- Electrical safety — Switchboard, wiring age
- Plumbing — Pipes, hot water system, drainage
- Asbestos check — Pre-1990 buildings especially
Asbestos Risk
Properties built before 1990 may contain asbestos in eaves, wet areas, fencing, and roofing. Always get a professional assessment before renovation.
- Strata report — Financial health, sinking fund
- Meeting minutes — Last 2 years of AGM minutes
- By-laws — Pet policy, renovation rules, short-stays
- Planned works — Upcoming special levies
- Insurance — Building insurance coverage
- Defects — Any building defects or litigation
Special Levies
Upcoming special levies can add thousands to your holding costs. Always review the strata committee's planned works before purchasing a unit or townhouse.
- Flood zone — Historical flooding, insurance implications
- Bushfire zone — BAL rating, insurance costs
- Contamination — Previous land use (industrial, petrol station)
- Mine subsidence — In mining areas
- Coastal erosion — Waterfront properties
- Comparable rentals — Similar properties' weekly rent
- Vacancy rates — Suburb vacancy percentage
- Rental history — If currently tenanted, review lease
- Property manager quotes — Get 2-3 management fee quotes
- Tenant quality — If existing tenant, review payment history
Vacancy Rate Benchmark
A suburb vacancy rate below 3% is generally healthy. Above 4% may indicate oversupply and downward pressure on rents.
- Rates notice — Actual council rates amount
- Water rates — Actual water charges
- Strata levies — Actual levy amounts (if applicable)
- Insurance quotes — Get actual building insurance quotes
- Rental appraisals — Get 2-3 written appraisals
- All inspections completed with acceptable results
- Financing pre-approved
- Legal review of contract complete
- All costs calculated and within budget
- Exit strategy considered if needed
Virtual Buyers Agent handles this automatically.
See how it works 