First Property Playbook — Pre-Settlement Checklist

Pre-Settlement Inspection Checklist — First Property Playbook

I paid $16,000 for a premium buyer's agent on my Geelong investment property.

They handed me a handwritten checklist and never opened the garage door. Inside was full of the vendor's rubbish. The keys were missing. The windows wouldn't shut. The electrical switchboard wasn't compliant. The bathroom floor had no waterproofing and was rotted through.

After a $130,000 deposit, I spent another $50,000 bringing the property to rent-ready condition.

This checklist exists because of that experience.

What's inside:

• 12 room-by-room sections covering every inch of the property
• 80+ individual check items with notes on what to look for and why
• Issues and defects log — document every problem with severity rating
• Settlement decision box — proceed, delay or seek legal advice
• Print-ready A4 format — bring it to the inspection yourself

Covers:

General arrival, doors and entry, windows, kitchen, bathrooms and wet areas, bedrooms, living areas, electrical compliance, plumbing and utilities, exterior, strata and body corporate, issues log.

The most important thing to understand:

The pre-settlement inspection is not a formality. It is your last chance to identify problems before the money changes hands. Exercise your right to be there in person. Open every door. Check every tap. Press on every bathroom floor.

$17 AUD · Instant download · Print and use · A4 PDF