3 Property Inspection Mistakes to Avoid When Buying on the Sunshine Coast

Buying a home on the Sunshine Coast is exciting … the lifestyle, the beaches, the sense that life just feels lighter here. But before you fall in love with a property, there are a few inspection mistakes that can cost you tens of thousands (and a whole lot of unnecessary stress) if you’re not careful.

I’m Keeta Gibson, your Sunshine Coast buyer’s agent, and after walking through hundreds of homes from Mooloolaba to Noosa, Buderim to Peregian, I can tell you: what you don’t notice during an inspection is often more important than what you do.

Here are the three biggest inspection mistakes to avoid before you buy.

Watch this short video for a quick overview:

1. Ignoring Water Damage or Cracks in the Ceiling

Most buyers walk into a home and look at the styling, the layout, the natural light… but very few look up.

Your ceiling tells a story.

Water marks, brown patches, uneven plaster, or long cracks can be early signs of:

• Roof leak

• Poor ventilation

• Structural movement

• Old water damage that hasn’t been properly fixed

On the Sunshine Coast, where heavy rain, humidity and storm seasons are part of our lifestyle, water damage is a major red flag. Not all marks mean disaster, but they do mean you need answers. Repairs can be costly, and if the issue hasn’t been resolved properly, you might be buying someone else’s headache.

Take your time, slow down, and look up. Every ceiling has something to say.

2. Not Checking for Mould in the Bathrooms

Mould is common in coastal homes, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.

Bathrooms are the most obvious place to check:

• Around the shower

• In the corners

• On the ceiling

• Near windows

• Behind cabinetry

Mould can be more than a cosmetic problem, it often points to poor ventilation or hidden moisture that can escalate fast. If left untreated, mould remediation can become a big and expensive issue, and sometimes the real cause sits behind the tiles or within the walls.

If you can see mould, chances are the problem is bigger than what’s on the surface.

When I inspect for clients across the Sunshine Coast, this is one of the first things I look for, especially in older homes or units with limited airflow.

3. Forgetting to Check Upcoming Developments Nearby

This is one of the most overlooked (and costly) mistakes buyers make.

A home might feel quiet, private, and perfect today… but what’s planned for the surrounding area?

A few things that can change the entire feel of your home:

• A new road or major upgrade

• A high-rise or apartment complex

• A shopping centre

• A childcare centre

• A commercial project

• Infrastructure changes you weren’t expecting

On the Sunshine Coast, where growth is booming, developments are happening everywhere. What looks like a peaceful, leafy outlook today might be a construction site next year.

Before you buy, you need to check:

• Council development applications

• Zoning

• Long-term infrastructure plans

• What’s been approved but hasn’t started yet

A ten-minute check can save you tens of thousands and protect your lifestyle, privacy, and resale value.

Why These Checks Matter (and Why Most Buyers Miss Them)

Most people fall in love with a home emotionally, and that’s completely normal. But emotion can make you overlook the things that matter most.

Water damage. Mould. Future developments.

These three factors alone can significantly change:

• The true value of the property

• Your future repair costs

• Whether the home is right for your family

• Long-term capital growth

• The quality of your lifestyle

A Sunshine Coast buyer’s agent looks at a property differently. Where most buyers see styling or a great outdoor area, I’m scanning ceilings, airflow, drainage, privacy, neighbouring lots, development plans, and resale risks.

Buying is emotional — but your decisions need to be strategic.

A Smarter Way to Buy Property on the Sunshine Coast

At Ocean Buyers Agency, and we’re here serving the buyer, not the seller in every property transaction.

If you’re relocating, upsizing, downsizing, or investing on the Sunshine Coast, you deserve someone in your corner who knows what to look for (and what to avoid).

If you’d like help finding the right home, and avoiding costly mistakes, reach out anytime.
Your dream Sunshine Coast home should feel good and make sense.