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Property Inspection Checklist for New Buyers: Things you should check before you buy any property Part 1
Property Inspection Checklist for New Buyers: Things you should check before you buy any property Part 1
June 6, 2022, 5:04 p.m.
Realestate News
Undertaking a property inspection for the first time can be an overwhelming task.You need to have your eyes open to all aspects and features of the home – because no one wants to buy their dream home and it turn out to be an expensive nightmare! Do your property inspection right and see the benefits into the future. Where possible, it’s always advisable to contact a qualified building inspector to carry out a rigorous property inspection for you.However, the following are a few simple property inspection checks you can carry out yourself:Can you see any water stains or corrosion on the walls surrounding the shower or bath? Or are there any signs of moisture on the walls surrounding the bath or shower? This may be a sign of water leakage, which can be costly to repair.Are the ceilings sagging? When you’re doing your property inspection, take a torch and shine the light across the ceiling, this will show any defects. Is the ceiling fixed firmly flush into place or does it have a ‘parachute’ appearance? If the roof is sagging, you’ll need to contact a builder to carry out repairs to the ceiling sheeting.Check that all roof downpipes are discharging into storm water soak wells and not just discharging onto the ground. You don’t want a flood in your new home when the monsoon season comes.It is also wise to look for any signs of previous flooding around the base of the roof downpipe. This can be an indication that the soak wells are not suitably sized or require cleaning out, which can be a costly maintenance item. If the property does not have the proper drainage, having a soak well installed can be very expensive.As part of any property inspection, look for any large cracks in the walls. Specifically, the inside and outside walls should be checked for cracks over 2mm in width. If the house has excessive cracking you must call a building inspector to check the soundness of the property’s structure.If you are still unsure about a property after carrying out these property inspection checks, contact a qualified building property inspector to carry out a detailed property inspection report.Want to read more tips for making sure you choose the right property? Read Part 2 Here.
Property Inspection Checklist for New Buyers: Things you should check before you buy any property Part 2
Property Inspection Checklist for New Buyers: Things you should check before you buy any property Part 2
June 6, 2022, 5:04 p.m.
Undertaking a property inspection for the first time can be an overwhelming task. You need to have your eyes open to all aspects and features of the home – because no one wants to buy their dream home and it turn out to be an expensive nightmare! Do your property inspection right and see the benefits into the future.Where possible, it’s always advisable to contact a qualified building inspector to carry out a rigorous property inspection for you.However, the following are a few simple property inspection checks you can carry out yourself:Can you see any mould or detect a musty smell in the bathrooms or bedrooms during your property inspection? Mould is an unwelcome arrival in any home and can have detrimental effects on your health if left unchecked. Mould looks like dirty clouds on the walls and ceilings and bring with it a musty smell. Mould should be removed by professional cleaners with the correct chemicals, which can be expensive. You also must look into what is causing the mould. Was it bad maintenance or something a more serious?In addition, during your property inspection, check inside the cupboards in all the wet areas. All cupboards should be opened to detect if there is a smell of damp, mould and mildew. Any damp smells can be an indication of water leaks and this problem will only get worse.Check the roofline is straight once your property inspection moves outside the house. Stand outside and look up the lines of the roof. Are they straight and free from deflections? If not, you had best to talk to a qualified building inspector.Check for rusty roof gutters. If the roof gutters show any sign of rust, they may soon require replacing. This isn’t always cheap.Are there dents on the external perimeter walls, window and door frames of the home? There should be small holes drilled above and below window and door frames approximately 12cm apart. These holes allow water to escape from the cavity walls. Without these holes water can penetrate the internal walls of the home causing ongoing and expensive maintenance. If this hasn’t been done when you do your property inspection, it could mean more problems lay below the surface.If you are still unsure about a property after carrying out these property inspection checks, contact a qualified building property inspector to carry out a detailed property inspection report.Missed the first half of the property inspection Checklist? Read Part 1 Here.
Pitfalls for Foreign Property Ownership in Cambodia
Pitfalls for Foreign Property Ownership in Cambodia
June 6, 2022, 5:04 p.m.
Realestate News
Property Buyers & Sellers Advice
Here are some clarifications of the most common misconceptions surrounding foreign property ownership in Cambodia for non-Cambodians.Foreign nationals are unable to buy land freehold within Cambodia as according the the Land Law 2001 and the Cambodian Constitution unless a landholding company is set up with the majority of shares being held by a Cambodian citizen or citizens.Alternatively, foreign nationals are able to acquire land on long-term leases as an alternative to foreign property ownership in Cambodia. These long-term leases for a foreign owner have a maximum lease term of 50 years as determined by the civil code established in December 2011. These leases can be registered at a national level with the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction. Long-term leases are a compromise chosen by many international investors due to the difficulties of foreign property ownership in Cambodia. Learn more about long term lease law.It is extremely important to remember that it is illegal for foreign nationals to own a property under soft title.However, due to a common misinterpretation of the Law on Foreign Ownership by local authorities across Cambodia, some sangkats (local councils) are currently allowing foreigners to purchase property under soft titles in their own names.In addition, this misconception is supported by some agents and brokers who mis-advise their foreign clients as to the true nature of their soft title, claiming that it in fact represents full ownership. However, not all sangkats allow this. Boeung Keng Kang Sangkat, for example, will not allow a foreigner to be represented on a soft title whatsoever.Furthermore, a sangkat officer can interpret a soft title as they wish.  As David Murphy, Director of IPS Cambodia, explains, ”Sangkat Officers are publicly elected officials who stand for election every five years. This means that when a foreigner owns property under a soft title in their own name, there is a significant risk that any change in the elected officials of the relevant sangkat may result in the correct interpretation of the law, jeopardizing or voiding that foreigner’s effective ownership.”To protect from this misunderstanding, ensure that you always conduct a title search with the relevant Ministry of Land Office or Commune Office before purchasing property. Such a search should confirm who holds the title to the property and reveal any registered mortgages or other encumbrances on the title.Keep in mind, as the land buyer; you may not be given the actual title to conduct the search, because this is the seller’s only evidence of ownership. The buyer will instead get given a copy of the title, so it is important that you confirm that it is the most recent copy.Foreign Property Ownership in Cambodia may not be simple, but it is increasingly possible. Always do your due diligence and take your time, and soon you will achieve foreign property ownership in Cambodia, and gain a valuable property asset.Learn More: “Cambodian Land Title Classifications Explained, Once and For All!" & "Can Foreigners Own Land in Cambodia?"
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