FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dispassionate assessment is a vital component of the property acquisition process and it is important that intending purchasers make the most of the opportunity, according to Archicentre Australia.

Whether it be via an open house or an assessment arranged through the selling agent, effective use must be made of the available time, says Peter Georgiev, director of the national architect’s advisory service.

“With time generally restricted, it is important to know what you are looking for,” he said.

“In this regard professional advice can be obtained beforehand to comprehend what you should look for and professional assistance should be sought after a building inspection, particularly if you have any areas of concern.”

As well as building faults important matters to consider are the functional layout of a home and how well it is endowed with natural light – and moreover its solar orientation.

“Functionality can depend on the era of construction. Older properties tend to concentrate many of the services at the rear and this can block living spaces from whatever rear yard there may be.

“Look for reasonable separation between sleeping areas and living areas with service rooms between them.

“Architects can advise on these factors and others as a means of explaining opportunities,” Peter Georgiev says.

Bringing light into a dwelling is important on many levels. This should preferably be done by means of windows rather than skylights – which should be restricted to bathrooms and laundries. They are to be avoided in habitable spaces.

“Embedded psychological well-being occurs when light and an aspect is achieved.

“If northern and eastern aspects can be achieved, a degree of passive solar thermal performance is a handy adjunct as it can save on heating and cooling – more light means less power to pay,” he says.

Building faults can also depend on the era of construction.

“Talk to an architect about how the variety of eras and their inherent faults can be understood.

“Buildings can vary roughly in line with the development of building regulations and more recently planning codes – from ‘pre-regulation’ to ‘mid Twentieth Century regulation’ to current ‘performance based regulation’. Each era or intersection of eras is a starting point for understanding building defects and this is where the knowledge of an architect comes into its own,” he says.

The Archicentre Australia website – www.archicentreaustralia.com.au – contains information about what to look for during a a property assessment – see the ‘Resources’ section as well as the ‘Working with your Architect’ document.

“Often customers are more interested in the opportunities that a property presents – in which case Archicentre Australia has community based architects who can advise on the merits of an addition, alterations or for that matter re-development. The Architect’s Advice service is a perfect conduit for this on-site conversation – then being summarised in a report. Often this approach is more important to customers than simply identifying building faults – which are often there for all to see.

The Architect’s Advice service can become the catalyst for procurement of a property – then leading to more considered design feasibility services provided by the architect in question.

“Having said that, a Property Assessment service involves an architect providing a snapshot overview of the property using a checklist – boundary to boundary, externals and internals.

“During a Timber Pest Inspection, a qualified and experienced inspector checks fro termites, borers ands fungal attack.

“If both are combined, which in many instances is recommended, customers can have peace of mind by means of a thorough assessment of property condition.”

For more information go to www.archicentreaustralia.com.au

 

This media release has been written and distributed by:

Archicentre Australia

Peter Georgiev, Director

Level 1, 9 Strathalbyn Street,

Kew East, VICTORIA, 3102

Phone: 1300 13 45 13 | 03 9859 9950