What to check for before buying a property

When searching for a new home, the ideal property can sometimes be just one poorly positioned wall away from perfect.

Sometimes, the solution is simple – just remove the wall – but when it turns out to be a load-bearing wall, the fix can become much more complicated and expensive.

According to Adrian Goslett, the regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, it is crucial to be able to spot the potential in a property.

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“If you can find a more affordable property that has the potential for transformation into a beautiful and functional home, you will stand to make a far greater return on investment than if you had purchased a perfect property to begin with,” he said.

However, not all homes have the potential for easy transformation. Some renovation projects can become an endless money pit if the homeowner fails to plan correctly and fully understand the scope of the work.

Goslett added that one of the most common mistakes many sellers make is thinking a wall can be easily removed or shifted.

“Certain walls will be load-bearing, which means they cannot be shifted or removed unless some other form of support is installed to take the weight of the floor or roof above it,” he said.

If a wall turns out to be load-bearing, the workaround is to install some form of a concrete lintel or beam or steel joists to support the surface above before the wall can be shifted or removed.

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A professional architect needs to prescribe the exact type of support needed. This partly explains why these renovations are costly.

To avoid being caught off-guard by finding a load-bearing wall blocking your path towards your new open-concept home, here are a few tips on how to spot a load-bearing wall before calling a qualified architect to confirm:

• Ask the seller for a copy of the building plans because they should indicate the load-bearing walls.

• Examine the crawl space to identify walls that support the roof structure. Roof trusses or rafters will often be attached directly above load-bearing walls.

• Knock on the wall to hear if it is hollow or solid. Although this is not a guarantee, the thicker and more solid the wall, the more likely it will be load-bearing.

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• The home’s layout should also give you clues. Load-bearing walls are commonly found along the centre or perimeter of the building and beneath heavy structural elements like chimneys or staircases.

“Spotting load-bearing walls can sometimes mean the difference between over-capitalising or profiting from a home renovation.

“By checking for load-bearing walls before purchasing a house, buyers can make more informed decisions regarding future renovations.

“Remember, when in doubt, always seek professional guidance to ensure the safety and integrity of your home,” Goslett concluded.