‘Don’t buy’: Agent warns buyers of $50k hidden home defect

House hunters are being warned a hidden defect lurking in older homes could blow a budget apart before the keys are even handed over. From the street it can look harmless. Inside, it can trigger rot, cracking and repair bills north of $50,000. Melbourne buyer’s agent Ella Cas has sounded the alarm over rising damp, urging first-home buyers and investors to think twice if they spot the telltale signs during an inspection. In an Instagram video, Ms Cas shared photos from a property in Ferntree Gully, where poor drainage around the home was feeding moisture back into the building every time it rained. MORE NEWS $200 rent rise forces student into his car Pensioner’s mower confiscated in bizarre garden dispute ‘Knock it down’: Couple’s $1m dream home hell “If you’re inspecting a house and you see this, turn around and leave that inspection,” she said. “It’s not just a bit of moisture from a rainy night. It’s rising damp and it’s a major defect that can cost upwards of $50,000 to fix.” Melbourne buyer’s agent Ella Cas has urged first-home buyers and investors to pay close attention to the warning signs, saying rising damp is especially common in older properties. Source: Instagram She sa...