Preventing hidden defects? The importance of a building inspection

Buying a home in Curaçao is a big step. You've found a beautiful house that meets your needs, a place under the sun where you feel at home. Many homes on the island have a unique character and history. This history also entails a specific maintenance record. Therefore, it's wise to have the property's structural condition inspected by an expert before finalizing the purchase. A technical inspection offers detailed insight and prevents financial surprises in the future. It gives you a solid foundation for one of the biggest investments of your life.

The value of a building inspection

As a buyer, you have a legal obligation to investigate the property. This means you must actively investigate the condition of the property yourself. A building inspection report helps you fully comply with this obligation. An independent structural engineer visually inspects the entire house, from the foundation to the roof ridge. The inspector checks the condition of the concrete, looks for cracks that could indicate structural problems, examines the roofing for signs of leakage, and inspects window frames and doors for the presence of wood rot or termites. Electrical installations, pipes, and drainage are also included. The findings are recorded in a comprehensive building inspection report. This document not only provides a clear picture of the current state of maintenance and any hidden defects, but also provides you with an estimate of the repair costs. These costs are often divided into immediate necessary repairs and long-term maintenance. With this report, you'll have a significantly stronger negotiating position. A vague notion of a defect becomes a concrete fact with a price tag, providing an objective starting point for discussing the selling price.

New construction and special provisions

When purchasing a new-build home, a building inspection is less common, but certainly not unnecessary. Agreements regarding delivery, materials used, and warranties are laid down in the delivery agreement. However, an inspection upon delivery can also be valuable. Sometimes project developers include restrictive provisions in the purchase agreement, known as perpetual clauses. These are clauses that obligate the buyer to comply with certain rules and legally pass them on to the next owner. More background information on the operation of a perpetual clause can be found online. Consider, for example, a ban on keeping specific pets, rules regarding the color of exterior paintwork, or an exclusion of claims for hidden defects. An inspection report at the time of the handover of the keys serves as a baseline measurement. It documents the exact condition of the home upon delivery. Should a dispute arise later regarding a defect, you have an official document as a reference to prove that it was not caused by your use.

Buying a house isn't something you do every day. Gaining assurance about the technical quality of your investment is a small effort with a significant return on your peace of mind and wallet.

Please contact us

Would you like guidance in purchasing your home in Curaçao and advice on conducting a building inspection? Contact the real estate agents at Top Makelaar Curaçao. We're ready to assist you.