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  • Writer's pictureScott Levoune

The D's of Property Investing - Due Diligence



Every day we make decisions that could have a significant impact on our lives. Sometimes, these choices are small and may not seem important in the grand scheme of things. Other times, the decisions we make can be life-altering. One such decision that all investors, professionals, and business directors need to take into careful consideration is whether or not to conduct due diligence before investing in a company or property. Depending on the situation, this process might be more important than ever. Here are three examples where diligent due diligence would have been greatly beneficial.


When it comes to investing in property, due diligence is essential. This is the process of investigating a potential investment in order to minimize risk and maximize return. Due diligence typically includes an analysis of the property's financials, zoning, environmental hazards, and legal history. It's important to invest time and resources in due diligence upfront, as it can help save money and headaches down the road. When done correctly, due diligence can be the difference between a successful investment and a costly mistake. So if you're considering investing in property, be sure to do your homework first. It just might be the best decision you ever make.


The same can be said for business directors looking to invest in a company. In this case, due diligence would include an analysis of the company's financials, products or services, competitive landscape, and management team. This process is important for understanding the risks and potential rewards of investing in a particular company. Once again, due diligence can be the difference between a successful investment and a costly mistake.


When it comes to investing in property, due diligence is vital. There are a number of different factors to consider when assessing a potential investment, and doing your due diligence can help you avoid costly mistakes. Some of the key areas to focus on include:


- Location: Is the property in a desirable location? What is the surrounding area like? Is there potential for future growth?


- Condition: What is the condition of the property? Are there any major repairs or renovations that need to be carried out?


- Tenants: If the property is tenanted, who are the tenants? What is their rental history like? Are they likely to renew their lease?


- Finances: Can you afford the purchase price and ongoing costs associated with the property? Have you considered all of the potential risks and rewards?


- Fire zone: Is the property in a fire zone? If so, what is the risk of damage to the property if there were to be a fire? What is the history of fires in the area?


- Flood zone: Is the property in a flood zone? If so, what is the risk of damage to the property if it were to flood? What is the history of flooding in the area?


- Heritage-listed: Is the property heritage listed? If so, are there any restrictions in place that could impact your plans for the property? How old is the property?


-Zoning: What is the zoning of the property? Is it zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use? Are there any restrictions in place that could impact your plans for the property?


-Legal history: What is the legal history of the property? Are there any outstanding liens or judgments against the property?


-Insurance: Is the property adequately insured? What is the cost of insurance? Can you even get insurance for the property?


-Council approval: Does the property have council approval for any renovations or development? If not, can you get it? How many development approvals have the council rejected in the past?


-Demographics: Who is the target market for the property? What are their needs and wants? Is there potential for future growth in this market?


-Pest Inspection: Has the property been inspected for pests? If so, what was the result of the inspection?


-Building Inspection: Has the property been inspected by a qualified building inspector? If so, what was the result of the inspection?


-Road Zoning: What is the zoning of the roads around the property? Are they zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use? Is there any road widening planned for the future?


-Traffic: How much traffic passes by the property each day? Is it likely to increase or decrease in the future? How loud is the traffic?


-Noise: What is the noise level around the property? Is it likely to increase or decrease in the future? How loud is the noise?


-Asbestos: Has the property been tested for asbestos? If so, what was the result of the test? Is the property old enough that it is likely to contain asbestos?


-Development Approvals: What development has the council approved in the area? What is the likely impact of this development on the property?





When buying an investment property, it is crucial to carry out due diligence in order to ensure that you are making a sound investment decision. This involves working with a range of professionals, including a buyer's agent, solicitor, conveyancer, mortgage broker, insurance broker, and building and pest inspector. The following professional tasks are:


- A buyer's agent: will help you identify properties that match your investment criteria and carry out due diligence on your behalf. They will also negotiate on your behalf to get the best possible price. They also manage the settlement process and handover of keys on completion. They also check council and zoning regulations to make sure that any plans you have for the property are permissible. Also for flood and fire zones.


- A solicitor or conveyance: will check the title of the property and carry out searches to ensure that there are no encumbrances on the property. They will also prepare the contract of sale and liaise with the other parties involved in the sale. A conveyancer will also negotiable on your behalf to get the best possible price. They also confirm all the structures on the property comply with council regulations and have been put through permission.


- A mortgage broker: will help you find the best loan for your needs and advise you on the best way to structure your loan. They will also provide you with an estimate of your repayments and help you compare different loan products. They also will help you find the best loan for your needs and provide guidance on how much you can borrow.


- An insurance broker: will assess your risks and recommend the best insurance cover for your needs. They will also provide you with a quote for the insurance and help you compare different policies. They confirm you are fully covered for any accidents that may occur on the property as well as any natural disasters. Landlord insurance and building insurance are a must.


- A building inspector: will assess the condition of the property and identify any major repairs or renovations that need to be carried out. They will also provide you with a report detailing their findings. Further, they make sure the property is up to code and no major repairs are needed and that it is structurally sound.


- A pest inspector: will assess the property for any signs of pests and provide you with a report detailing their findings. They will also recommend the best course of treatment for any pests that are found. A pest inspection is important to make sure that the property is not infested with any pests and to ensure that any pests that are found are treated.


-Council and Zoning Regulations: will check to see if the property is in a fire zone or flood zone. If it is, they will recommend the best course of action to take. They will also check to see if the property is Heritage listed and recommend the best course of action to take.


While there are certainly advantages to carrying out all of these steps yourself, it is often wiser to enlist the support of trusted professionals who have experience in this area. Not only will they be able to help you navigate this complex process more easily and efficiently, but they can also give you expert advice on all aspects of your investment decision. So if you want to make sure that you are making a sound investment in property, be sure to carry out due diligence with the help of qualified professionals. Doing your due diligence yourself may save you money in the short term, but it could cost you dearly in the long run if you make a mistake. So it's always better to be safe than sorry!


By taking the time to research all of these elements thoroughly, you can be sure that you are making a well-informed investment decision. And while there may be some upfront costs associated with carrying out due diligence, such as hiring professionals to help you with the process, these costs will pale in comparison to the cost of making a bad investment. So if you want to protect yourself and your finances, be sure to do your due diligence before investing in property.


We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post on the importance of carrying out due diligence when investing in property. Here at Levoune Buyers Agent, we are passionate about helping our clients make informed decisions when it comes to real estate. If you’re interested in learning more about how a buyer's agent can help streamline the process of buying property, please don’t hesitate to comment below or get in touch with us directly. Thank you for reading and have a great day!



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