What You Can Actually Check at an Open Home
An open home only gives you 20–30 minutes, so a systematic approach beats wandering room to room. Start outside — check the roof, cladding, foundations and drainage for 5–10 minutes before you even go in. Bring a torch, your phone for photos, and ideally a second person to spot things you might miss.
The Inspection Checklist
Roof and cladding
Look for wear, leaks or damage to roofing and check the condition of exterior cladding.
Piles, foundations and retaining walls
Check under the house if you can — piles should be sound and properly braced; large retaining walls are costly to repair.
Walls and floors
Look for significant cracks, uneven or creaky floors, and signs of dampness or mould.
Plumbing and wiring
Test taps for pressure and leaks, and check for flickering lights or warm power outlets.
Moisture and weathertightness
Be especially cautious with monolithic claddings, EIFS or stucco on homes built or renovated since the early 1990s.
If a home was built or majorly renovated after the early 1990s, monolithic cladding, EIFS, or stucco finishes are known risk factors for leaking — worth a closer look or a specific question to the agent.
What You Can Check Yourself
What Needs a Building Inspector
Quick Summary
- Check outside first: roof, cladding, piles and drainage before you go in.
- Watch for weathertightness risk on homes built or renovated post-1990s.
- A 20-minute look isn't enough on its own — book a professional building inspection before you commit.