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Thread: Buying a House in NZ

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    65

    Default Buying a House in NZ

    Hi, we saw a house yesterday that we are thinking of buying. It's fairly new - prob. 18-24 months old, good sized garden (on approx 750 sqm.) It's in a reasonably good location, good size and has a good indoor/outdoor flow. The only potential problem is that it has a plaster skin. (we'd been looking for a brick one)

    Our big problem now is what sort of questions should we be asking the vendors. So far we've thought of these, in no particular order.

    1. Who built it
    2. Does it have a building compliance certificate
    3. Is the slab reinforced, is there building paper/felt under the roof tiles
    4. Does it have a freehold title
    5. What covenants are there on the land

    We know that the new building regs require an eaves overhang of at least 60 cms and it looks like it may have that.

    There a probably a whole load of intelligent questions we should be asking, or features that we should be looking for. Has anyone got any suggestions please?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Whitianga. Nz. Pop; 4004
    Posts
    2,163

    Default

    I guess you have already looked into this side of things, but just in case....

    http://www.enz.org/LeakyBuildings.html

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Near a North Island beach, in New Zealand
    Posts
    429

    Default

    ^ That post covers it pretty well.

    If you do want to go ahead with a purchase of one of those houses then you *must* get the building checked out by a certified building inspector, as well as getting a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) report on it from the local council.

    Not sure of the costs associated with doing these things, but I'm sure it's about $300 - 400 (NZ) for both of them - that's total cost, not for each one.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    65

    Default

    Thanks, have looked at that thread. Will get a proper building report done if we decide to go ahead with it.

    Anymore tips on buying houses in NZ?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Inland Canterbury, NZ
    Posts
    8,390

    Default

    If anyone is interested I am happy to email you a copy of a House Check report (building report) that we had done back in October on a property that we were looking to renovate.

    It may give you some pointers of what to look for when looking round a house plus questions to ask... it also has alot of lingo in it that you need to know!

    Its a 29 page report and cost $420. It took the guy 2.5 hours to do as it was in a real state - he crawled up and down and in and out - we felt it was great value.

    Drop me a PM with your email and I'll be happy to send it to you. Just send a cheque or postal order for $50 ... just kidding.

    Moorf

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    65

    Default

    You're a star! thanks for the offer, will pm you.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona, USA
    Posts
    298

    Default

    Thanks, Moorf!

    Awfully nice of you to share that with us!
    RoadRunner

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    14

    Default

    Hi there

    May be you should see http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/h...nd_selling.asp

    Cheers

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Auckland to UK
    Posts
    1,120

    Default

    We bought a brand-new house from the developer and it has a 7-Year MasterBuilder warranty : http://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/

    Maybe, you could ask the owner about this.


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