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7 Steps to Take Straight Away if Your Home is invaded by Pests/Rodents/ Termites

If you have normal occurrences of bug sightings or rodent droppings, you may actually have a bigger pest problem than you are aware of, since many more may not be seen. Termites attack 1 out of 5 homes in Sydney and they are becoming increasingly wider spread.  Not only can pests, rodents and termites cause damage to your home, they can also spread disease and illnesses.

The first step to take if you feel your home is being invaded is to make a close inspection of the inside and outside of your home.  Look for cluttered storage areas, food and water sources, overflowing garbage and leaking taps.  Most pests are searching for food, water and shelter, and once they have found a reliable source, they will settle in and multiply.  Because Sydney and Australia have many termite-prone areas, it may be necessary to have a building inspection done by a professional to determine if invasion exists.

Secondly, eliminate obvious reasons you have pests or rodents. Preventive measures can be taken, such as keeping clutter and garbage to a minimum.  For termites, do not stack items against your house, especially wood. Cockroaches often lay their eggs on grocery bags or in cardboard, so throw these items away as soon as possible after returning from the store.

The third step is to properly identify your pest problem because treatment can depend on the type of bug, cockroach, termites, ants or rodents that are the cause.  Save a specimen, in the event you need to call in a professional pest control service. If you have termites, you may need to have a termite inspection done by a professional to determine the amount of damage and treatment options.

The fourth step is to do an analysis of how the pests are gaining access to your home, food and water.  If you find an access hole, cracks or gaps around plumbing pipes, those need to be sealed to stop the invasion. Termites typically move from the earth to wood that is in contact with the ground.

Fifth, look at the treatment options for the type of pest you have.  Some bait traps may work for rodents, or home pest control chemicals and sprays may reduce the problem.  Eggs may hatch at later intervals, so it is often a process that may require more than one treatment. Many people will choose professionals for this process, to quickly eliminate the issue.

The sixth step will be monitoring the treatment, since eggs may continue to hatch, or baby rodents may leave the nest.  It is important to make sure there is effective treatment to prevent re-infestation.

Lastly, make sure you keep any documents and recommendations of the treatment.  If you have a termite inspection and treatment done by a professional service, you could need these guarantees and assessments if you decide to sell your home. The important thing is to call in a professional if other treatments are not working, as the problem will get continually worse.  In the case of termites, professional treatment will be necessary, and it is better to have inspections and treatments done, sooner than later.

If you’re concerned about any common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for assistance with professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

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Does Your Prospective Home Have Building Defects? 90% Do.

It may not show up right away. It may be obvious to anyone. But if you don’t rule it out, chances are very good it will ruin your perfect new home, whether it’s brand new, a gently-lived-in home, or a real fixer-upper. Building defects go far beyond poorly-placed glass in windows and bad spackling.

Case 1: A family man trusts the wrong homebuilder, a family friend, and buys the new home his wife fell in love with. For six years, well past the deadline for local lemon laws, the home has no problems. Then the city builds a bypass, and the next rain reveals the flaws: poor drainage causes a basement flood in the poorly-sealed walk-out basement, not of water but of gooey mud, four feet high. A drainage culvert to the side of the house collapses in the washout, and parts of the lawn also become treacherous to walk over or mow. At the bottom of the sloping yard, what was once lush grass becomes a marsh, ruining the established vegetable garden.

This catastrophic pair of defects – a poorly-sealed basement and bad drainage in the home’s lot and lee area – took a quarter-million dollar home’s value down by about a third, after the cleanup. Though some of the problems have been addressed, the home has seen subsequent floods over the last decade, and the walk-out basement is now more an average storage basement, eliminating nearly half the home’s living space. Worse, many of the family heirlooms and keepsakes have been destroyed in the floods, irreplaceable treasures.

Need another example?

Case 2: A man buys a home, handyman’s special. He knows a bit about home structure, having worked several summers in construction, and he likes building and renovating. The flaws he sees – a roof cant indicating some leak problems, paint (of course), and broken bricks around the bottom of the home look like things he can work with. After signing his contract, he finds the real problem with the home: a cracked foundation caused by poor settling. The south end of the home is settling more than the north end, and though jacks have helped hide the problem and level out the floors, there is no repairing it himself. To fix the problem will cost him more than he paid for this unique fixer-upper opportunity.

These and hundreds of other hidden problems may exist in that lovely home you’ve been considering, new or old. Even if you know about homes, even if your best friend is the builder, there is always the possibility that any home has serious building flaws.

As many as 90% of homes have flaws serious enough, in the long run, to cost you tens of thousands in repairs or renovations. A smaller, but significant, minority of these homes have flaws severe enough to make it cheaper to tear down and rebuild the home.

Before you purchase a home, always hire a building inspector. These professionals have worked for decades in construction, and have seen it all; they also know where to go to check credentials on land quality, future zoning issues, and the home’s history. Building inspectors know who to trust and who to avoid as well, and know what corners the shadier contractors cut – corners that might surprise you.

Before you buy, get an independent building inspection. It could be the best money you spend in the complex transaction to get your new home.

For more information or to arrange an inspection contact Pink Inspections on (02) 9529 5222 or contact us online.

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7 Questions to Ask When Choosing any Pest Control Company

When the time comes to choose a pest control company, be sure that you are wary and that you choose carefully. Choosing poorly in this situation could see your pests back again in as little as week, it could have no affect on them at all or it could even potentially worsen your pest problem! So when deciding on a pest control company there are a few questions that you should ask.

What kind of experience do you have? When you are looking to get a great pest control company, remember that often different companies have different specialities. If you have a problem with subterranean termites, what kind of experience do they have with that kind of pest?

What organisations do you belong to? Most reputable pest control agencies belong to a local or national organisation of some sort.  One organisation that many excellent pest control companies belong to is the National Pest Management Association.  Belonging to this association means that you are dealing with an established business that holds to a specific code of ethics and has met certain qualifications.

How dangerous is this going to be to my children/pets? If there is anything in your home that has a weaker immune system than an adult human, this is something that you need to look in to.  If you find that some of the sprays that they are planning to use might be a little risky, ask from some alternatives (gels etc.), or go elsewhere.

Do you have any references? Ask if they have serviced anyone that you might have heard of, and if they have any testimonials to their name.  If you can find people who are satisfied with their service, there is a good chance that you will be as well.

Can I have it in writing? When the company that you are considering does an inspection, they should be willing to give you a piece of paper that tells you were the problems and infections are occurring. This will let you cross-check with another service to make sure that you are getting good information.

Are they making you feel rushed? Remember that if you have something like termites that you seldom need to act right this minute.  A delay of weeks or even of months will not make your issue worse, and you will find that a company that is trying to pressure you into committing to treatment right away might be trying to goad you into paying more or into overlooking some important details!

Have I called the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (or Better Business Bureau in the US)? If you suspect that a pest control company is not everything that it says it is, check with the ACCC. They will tell you if there have been many complaints against this company or if there have been any problems in the past. They may also be able to put you in touch with a regulatory board that oversees pest control companies in your area specifically.

Remember that choosing the right pest control company should give you good answers to all seven of these questions.  Remember that a pest control company has a responsibility to be both helpful and professional, and that to get the treatment that you need, you may need to do some investigating!

If you’re concerned about any common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for assistance with professional pest control in Sydney or call or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

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The Danger of Rodents in Your Home

Any homeowner knows that rodents are a real nuisance, but did you know they could be dangerous as well? The danger that rodents pose to your home ranges from minor damage to severe illnesses. Therefore, before you think the mice in the attic are cute you should be aware of what professionals have to say about these furry creatures.  This is especially so for major hubs such as Sydney, Australia. Cities such as this one receive many imports from other countries where rodent transmitted diseases flourish.

Mice, rats, squirrels and other hairy rodents can do quite a bit of physical damage to your home. Once they find their way into your home, they will chew their way into any area that looks appealing to them. One of the huge dangers of this is the possibility that they will chew threw electrical wiring causing a short.

In addition to chewing holes everywhere, rodents can also ruin your home through the stench of their droppings. They drop as they walk and many times this will be in highly inaccessible areas, like your walls, appliances, and crawl spaces. While it takes a serious infestation to create this problem if you note the insane rapidity with which they breed it does not take that long to become seriously infested.

The danger of rodents in your home extends to the many diseases they carry. Potential diseases that rodents carry include:

Rickettsial Pox- A disease similar to chicken pox transmitted from the mites commonly found on rodents.

Food Poisoning- Specifically salmonella is contracted when food comes into contact with saliva, urine, or droppings of rats and mice.

Parasites- Many parasites can be transmitted to humans, particularly tapeworm and Trichinosis.

Hantavirus – Once thought to be rare this disease is showing up in rodents all over Australia. This serious and potentially fatal disease is spread through inhalation of dust that contains urine, saliva, or droppings. Direct infection from bites is also possible.

Rat bite fever- This is rare disease, generally only transmitted through a bite.

Plague- Another rare and old disease that is re-emerging. It is generally transmitted by fleas that piggyback on an infected rodent.

Now that you know some of the dangers let us look at some possible solutions to keep you and your home safe from the dangers that rodents pose.

The first thing you must do is seal up cracks around pipes, windows, and doors. Even the smallest crack can allow entrance to your home for many rodents. An inexpensive tube of caulking will go a long way toward this end.
One of the best weapons you can have is a natural predator. Cats are a good natural solution to a rodent problem.

Traps, sticky boards, and poisons are also steps that you can take to rid yourself of the danger of rodents in your home. If you have children or pets however care must be taken to ensure that the poison is kept out of their reach. Do not use poisons if you have a cat as the animal may become poisoned through contact with an affected rodent.

If you have seen one or two rodents then you have a minor issue that you should be able to take care of on your own, however if you have a larger infestation or live in an area of Sydney that is prone to other pests like termites you might want to consider seeking professional help and having your house checked for other pests at the same time.

If you’re concerned about rodents and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for assistance with professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

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7 Common Household Pest Invasion Problems and How to Solve Them

1. Termites: Each year termites are responsible for billions of dollars worth of damage to homes in and around Sydney alone.

If you suspect your home may have been invaded by termites, it’s vitally important to book a qualified pest inspection company to inspect your home. If you’re considering buying or selling a home in the Sydney area, then termite inspection verification is often a condition of sale.

A simple treatment can not only help prevent the infestation spreading further, but also protect against the threat of future infestations.

2. Mice: Mice breed very rapidly in the tiniest of spaces. Not only do they spread disease and bacteria, they’re also capable of gnawing through even the toughest plastics to gain access to food.

A simple mousetrap, bait or poison is often effective to get rid of one or two mice but may pose a risk to children and pets. More serious measures might be needed if the mice have bred to infestation levels somewhere near your home.

3. Fleas: It only takes one flea to lay eggs on your pet or in your carpet and suddenly you have an infestation that is almost impossible to get rid of. They are capable of breeding at an incredible rate, so as quickly as you can kill them, there are thousands more in their place.

Fleas can spread diseases to your pets and cause severe allergic reactions, skin problems, rashes, and in severe cases even anaemia in people and pets alike.

Treating your pet and its bedding is a great start, but if the fleas return a professional treatment may be the simplest, most effective option.

4. Spiders: Spiders are unpopular whenever they pop up unexpectedly in your home.
There are several insecticide sprays available however care needs to be taken when using these.

5. Cockroaches: Nobody likes cockroaches. Not only are they notoriously difficult to kill, they love to breed in warm conditions, such as in your home. They communicate with each other by emitting pheromones, so if one cockroach finds a nice food source they can ‘call’ thousands of other cockroaches, leaving you with a swarm in your home.

Spraying or leaving cockroach traps can be effective but again, if their numbers get out of control, these methods won’t be enough.

6. Ants: Not only are ants annoying, but they’re persistent. When they’ve found a potential food source, they’ll persist and keep coming back even after you’ve sprayed.

Baiting is usually an effective way to handle an ant problem as the bait is taken back to the nest by the worker ants where it may be eaten by the queen ant.

7. Bees: Many people have severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to bee stings, so disturbing a nest of bees yourself or trying to relocate them could cause them to swarm in self-defence.

Whilst some insect sprays may also work on bees this is not recommended as it may be difficult to ensure that the spray affects the entire hive. The safest option here is to contact a professional. If you have a honey bee infestation a local beekeeper may be willing to remove your bees for free.

Each of these pests is present in or near your home most of the time and normally they live harmoniously with humans. Many options are available to deal with these insects on a small scale, but when nothing you try works to get rid of them, it’s time to call in the professionals to get the job done quickly and safely.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for assistance with professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

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How to have a Termite and Pest Free Home

IIt may surprise people to know that lowly little termites can wreak more havoc and destruction on homes than even fires can accomplish. These insects have been around for millions of years and there is no reason to think that they have any plans to retreat at this stage of the game.

Most termites invade old homes or those that have not had proper upkeep, but there are times when termites and other pests create problems with newer homes as well. This can occur whenever trees are cleared for the building of houses. If termites are already present in the area they find it jolly fun to move their nesting colonies from the destroyed mounds to the much nicer location that the new homes offer. Even having concrete or brick slabs or underpinnings can not guarantee safety from these invaders.

There are considered to be two basic types of termite, those that seek burrows in the earth and those that live in dry wood. Prevention is seen as the most effective method of protecting your home, so a proactive stance is essential. To protect your property against pest invasions the following measures may help:

- Keep standing water away from your home and away from the foundation as moisture is a lure for termites and other pests.

- Make sure that your rain gutters and spouts are clean and free of debris, always use splash guards to direct water away from your home

- Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces dry and assure that you have adequate ventilation. Plastic, moisture proof barriers placed on the ground in crawl space areas will help prevent termite invasions.

- Always deal with leaky pipes and plumbing problems immediately

- Keep any foundation cracks repaired to thwart the invading hordes of termites that may have plotted a course for your home.

- Always keep wood free from contact with the soil, if you have wooden underpinnings you can have these areas treated to help prevent termites from setting up residence. Wooden steps or supports should always be on some type of concrete base.

- Never have firewood or lumber lying on the ground near the home structure.

- Do not allow any plants, shrubs or vines to make constant contact with your home and avoid having trees too near your house. Trees and stumps can offer shelter to termites that have your home in their sights.

- Keep your home as finely maintained as possible. Make sure that the paint on the exterior surfaces is kept in good condition. Keep vents screened to keep out the flying pests.

- A thorough home inspection before you purchase a home and once a year thereafter can keep your residence safe and sound. Catching termites before they can get a foothold on your property is one of the best preventive measures that you can find.

If you should find yourself with pest or termite invasions of any size, seeking the advice and help of professionals will be your best course of action. These pest exterminators are trained to identify the problem and can offer you options to help remedy the situation. Your home is a valuable asset and investment so it is in your best interest not to jeopardise its structural integrity.

f you have a termite problem that you want taken care of quickly and professionally, you can contact Pink Pest Services for assistance with professional termite control in Sydney.

We are only too happy to assist.

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The Tell Tale Signs of Termite Infestation

After a careful analysis of Melbourne, as well as Sydney, Archicentre Limited revealed the shocking results of just how termite damage affects Australia.  The company, who holds the capacity of building advisory service within the RAIA(Royal Australian Institute of Architects, conducted research over a two year span in order to help in developing criteria for building inspection, data collection, and data reporting.

The Archicentre Pest inspection service was started in 2005 in Melbourne, and in Sydney in 2006, which will gain a better understanding of the aspects of timber pest attacks every where in Australia.

The company examined more than 80,000 reports of inspections and through this analysis came to the conclusion that there is indeed termite growth within Australia and their homes. The analysis provided many different results. For example, they were able to determine that colder regions of the continent are less likely to suffer from termite attacks than the warmer regions were. This led to the conclusion that termite protection was in dire need in these warmer areas.

Of the areas inspected and analyzed, it was found that Western Australia saw the smallest increase of just 5%, Victoria was the next highest at a termite increase of 8%, South Australia, ACT, and New South Wales came in second with a 9% increase, and the number one jump in termites belonged to Queensland with a jump of a whopping 11%.

In the year 2006, it cost on average $2,500 to treat a termite infected home. While expensive, it was still far better than what it would cost to repair an infested home, which could cost around $4,500 or more depending upon the area in which you live.

Do you have termites? There are some things that you can be looking for. The first thing you want to do is check your stumps and concrete barriers, do you see any mud? You also want to look at the sub floor of your home, is there any damage? Now you want to actually check the inside and outside of your home. Look around a foot from the floor or ground, check to see if there are any termite signs.

Termites seem to be the most active if a home is surrounded by lots of trees. Homes that were built 30 year ago or older are often more likely to have termite infestation.  Many home owners however create virtual termite attractions. For instance the way a home owner landscapes their home, making untreated wood and the like a very enticing meal for some prospective and hungry termites. Things such as old logs around the lawn, or non treated wood fence posts are likely termite attractors. Putting mulch around the home all the way against the wall of the home may also cause a termite attack.

Many people will store wood in a shed or somewhere around the home in order to keep it dry. This is another attraction for termites. Even if homes have a concrete slab or have been treated, termites seem to find any wood in the construction materials of the home.

The only way to prevent termites from taking over your wood is to make sure that you are having termite checks and treatments regularly by a qualified pest control company.

One last thing, before you purchase a new home, make sure that you have an inspection done first. Make double sure that this inspection includes termite inspections. If you purchase a home without having this inspection, you may be looking at big costs to treat and repair the infestation, in addition to the money you just paid for your new home.

For more information or to arrange an inspection contact Pink Inspections on (02) 9529 5222 or contact us online.

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Termites: The Invisible Threat to Your Property

Shhh!!  Did you hear something?  No, it is not a burglary going down but there is danger afoot in your home. Termites [aka white ants] are busy chipping away at your financial investment. It is time to turn the light on these freeloading bugs, and kick them to the curb. Do not wait until they move in permanently and eat you completely out of house.

Termites need food and water, just like any other animal. However, the favourite food of the termite is wood – which makes your home look like a 24 hour buffet to them! Termites feed on the cellulose in wood, which they convert to sugar in their digestive process. Termites get water from leaky faucets and standing water in or outdoors. Don’t give termites a free meal!

About twenty percent of homes in Sydney are already infested with termites. You can keep these destructive insects out of your home by taking preventative measures to protect yourself. First, make sure that you have no faulty parts in your ventilation system which allow for the build-up of water, which will attract these pests. Giving termites a drinking fountain is like inviting them into your home. Also check your foundation for any cracks which will make it easy for termites to get in.

Termites build their colonies and live their lives mostly underground. They build a labyrinth of tunnels which may go as deep as three feet underground. These tunnels often lead right into your home! When termites invade, they can undermine your home with their tunnels. To prevent termite incursions, you must be vigilant. Remember, these creatures can destroy your biggest and most important investment – your home.

You may not encounter a swarm of termites outside your door, or see any outward signs they are lurking in the shadows. To be on the safe side, it is in your best interest to terminate their existence before they take a big bite out of yours. The price you pay for termite protection now is well worth the expense, compared to costly repairs in the future.

Annual termite inspections protect your home and its value. When selling your property prospective buyers will expect proof of the house being termite free. If there are any indications of a previous termite infiltration, even if termites no longer exist, it can cost you losing valuable equity, just the fact that termites were once present. In high-risk areas, experts recommend timely termite inspections at least twice a year. This damage control stops termites dead in their tracks before you have to say”there goes the neighborhood.”  Termite infestation is a serious threat in Sydney. We cannot just sit back and hope the problem will disappear.

To win the war against termites, you need to call in the professionals. A thorough termite inspection helps prevent, detect, and treat termite attacks. Reinforcements are needed to fight the invisible bugger who strikes without warning. Make a move toward a successful termite extermination plan.

For more information or to arrange an inspection contact Pink Inspections on (02) 9529 5222 or contact us online.

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Ten Facts You Must Know About Termites

Termites are a problem in Australia, more so in Sydney. You may not know this, but there are termite-prone residential zones in Sydney, and if your house is located in such a zone, then you should be getting regular inspections. Also, if you are buying a new home in Sydney, then you have to run a check to ensure the previous owner has combated any termite problems; otherwise it will become your even bigger problem.

The fact of the matter is if you live in the Sydney area, you must be aware of the potential problems associated with termites, no matter whether you rent or own your home. Some people think they can save money by avoiding inspections. Well here are 10 facts that may just let you know what you are up against.

1. Termites are a major problem in Australia. If you have a home that is termite infested then the damage they can cause can be financially crippling. It is proven that there are millions of dollars in losses ever year in Australia due to termite damage.

2. An average 20% of homes in Australia received damage due to termites. There are an estimated 130,000 new termite attacks on an annual basis.

3. The losses reported from termites are five times more that the losses seen from a combination of flood, fire and storms.

4. The termites that are the most well known in the Sydney area are the Kalotermes, which are dry wood termites and the Coptotermes Acinaciformis, which are subterranean termites. These termites are very hearty and have been known to damage wood-framed homes as well as brick and steel with the same energy.

5. Termites are known to adapt and they tend to develop a taste for materials that are commonly used in the construction of homes.

6. One averaged sized termite colony can chew up a room’s floor in just 3 months – yes, termites have quite an irrepressible appetite.

7. Termites do not stop once they have entered your home. Instead they begin to eat things like shoes, clothing, electrical wiring and furniture.

8. If you discover a colony of termites in your home, you should not try to destroy them on your own as the will only come back stronger than before. The reason is that they can burrow into the soil to live and then return because they know where their food source is in your home. You should make sure to let a professional take care of it for you.

9. You may know that you can detect termites yourself by tapping on wood with a screwdriver handle. But you sure don’t know that even a mere tapping by a screwdriver handle on infested wood can break the wood. This also disturbs the termites, thus limiting your treatment options.

10. Only experienced and specialised termite inspectors, and no one else, are qualified to treat termite related issues.

Well, the fact is if you have a home or are planning to buy one in Sydney, you need to hire an experienced pest control agency that knows termites like the back of its hands. If you don’t, you will compromise on your health and wealth by ignoring or avoiding the problem.

For more information or to arrange an inspection contact Pink Inspections on (02) 9529 5222 or contact us online.

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Important changes to NSW Building Inspection laws

WARNING: Before you get your house inspected,
…here is some important information for you…

The government of New South Wales has introduced many new changes in the Home Building Act. Though many of the changes have already been written, many of the reforms have just now been implemented. These reforms aim at protecting the customers from any foul play. These reforms relate to a pre-purchase inspection, which gives an overall estimate of the property including whether there are any damages, cracks, or safety hazards.

A pre-purchase inspection report includes general information about the property. This report provides you enough information about the property to identify if there are some obvious problems. The inspection includes the interior, the exterior, the roof and the under roof space of the property. You can ask the inspector to inspect particular areas of the building as well, to ensure that all these areas are inspected to your satisfaction.

However, an inspection does not include every aspect of the property. It is only a general estimate of the property to see whether there are any serious defects in the property that may require expensive repairs after purchase. A pre-purchase inspection does not include a termite inspection. Although a pre-purchase inspection may cover obvious damage by termites, in order to see if there are any termite colonies, you need specific termite inspection.

Also, all property inspections must conform to the Australian Standard. The inspector must cover all the requirements of pre-purchase inspection stipulated in the Home Building Act. If your inspector is not aware of the new inspection criteria in the Act, his insurance may be compromised. Also, certain defects in your property may go unnoticed, leading to expensive repairs.

Before hiring the services of an inspector, make sure that your inspector knows about the pre-purchase inspection regulations, so that he is covered by his insurance policy.

Another reform offers a five-day cooling off period to provide an extra level of protection for the buyer. The buyer can cancel the contract with the contractor during this period; however, he would have to pay 25% of the purchasing price to the vendor. This cooling-off period can be shortened by having a certificate signed by the two parties. But be careful: the cooling-off period does not apply if the property is purchased at an auction. The buyer can also inspect the property during this period of five working days.

For more information or to arrange an inspection contact Pink Inspections on (02) 9529 5222 or contact us online.



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