A building inspector on the Gold Coast, Dan Golin, has voiced alarm over a trend where homebuyers are seemingly compelled to rush into property purchases without conducting adequate background checks. This scenario is resulting in an increased incidence of new homeowners discovering significant structural or termite-related issues in their recently acquired properties, particularly amidst the booming property market in Queensland. Golin, with vast experience in the industry, expressed concern over buyers finding themselves in distressing situations where the cost of repair for structural damage or termite infestations runs into tens of thousands of dollars.
An unfortunate case exemplifying this issue involves Zara and Shaun Sarson, whose Gold Coast home was found to be extensively damaged by termites shortly after moving in, ultimately requiring demolition. The Sarsons had obtained a positive inspection report from a different inspector prior to purchasing the property, indicating a failure in identifying the underlying termite problem. The couple alleged that the real estate agent selling the house was aware of the termite issue but did not disclose it, raising questions about transparency in property transactions. Golin, upon inspection of the Sarsons' home, remarked on the visible and severe nature of the termite damage, indicating that trained eyes could have easily spotted the issue.
Golin also provided insights into common signs that may indicate termite cover-ups in properties, advising potential buyers to be vigilant for discrepancies like freshly installed skirting boards or paint inconsistencies. Building and planning services manager, Karen Haworth, reinforced the importance of thorough pre-purchase inspections, highlighting challenges like restricted access due to a property's contents, which could hinder a comprehensive examination. Haworth recommended verifying the credibility of inspectors through recognition by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and suggested additional scans, such as thermal imaging for detecting water or termite-related concerns, especially in fully furnished properties.