Buying a Property in Melbourne? 15 Things to Check for an Easy-to-Maintain Home

If I Were Buying a Property, These Are the Things I'd Look For

How to choose a home that's easier — and cheaper — to look after

By Jan Middleton, Middleton's Cleaning

If I were looking to buy a property tomorrow, I'd be looking at a lot more than the kitchen, bathroom and whether I liked the colour of the walls.

I'd be thinking:

"How much work is this house going to give me over the next 10, 20 or 30 years?"

After more than 30 years of cleaning Melbourne homes, I've seen just about every type of property you can imagine.

I've seen beautiful homes that are surprisingly easy to maintain.

I've also seen beautiful homes that look fantastic on inspection day but become a never-ending list of cleaning and maintenance jobs once you move in.

And that's what got me thinking...

If I were buying a home for myself, what would I actually look for?

Here are the things I'd be checking.

🌳 1. I'd Look at How Many Trees Are Around the Property

I love trees.

They make a home look beautiful, provide shade and can make a garden feel established.

But if you're buying a property, I'd definitely take a good look at what's growing around it.

Especially large trees.

I'd be thinking about:

• How much leaf litter will end up on the roof?

• Are branches hanging over the house?

• Will the gutters fill quickly?

• Will the driveway become covered in leaves?

• Will the windows get dirty more quickly?

• Are there trees close to solar panels?

A beautiful leafy backyard can be wonderful.

But it can also mean more gutter cleaning, more leaves, more cobwebs and more general maintenance.

My tip:

Don't just inspect the garden.

Look up.

The trees above the house can tell you a lot about how much maintenance you're signing up for.

**Flat roofs under trees collect the most amount of debris, followed by roofs wit trees overhanging.

🏠 2. I'd Have a Really Good Look at the Roof

Most buyers look at the roof to see whether it looks old.

I'd also be thinking about how easy it is to maintain.

Is it a simple roof?

Are there lots of valleys and different roof sections?

Are there areas that are difficult to access?

Are there solar panels?

Are there trees sitting over it?

A complicated roof isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it can mean more places for leaves and debris to collect.

And if you've got solar panels tucked into difficult-to-access areas, I'd want to know how they're going to be cleaned and maintained before I bought the house.

🍂 3. I'd Look at the Gutters

This would be high on my list.

In fact, I'd probably look at the gutters before I'd look at the kitchen splashback!

Why?

Because gutters are one of those things homeowners don't think about until something goes wrong.

I'd look for:

• Lots of leaf debris

• Plants growing in the gutters

• Sagging sections

• Rust

• Damaged sections

• Lots of gutter joins

• Difficult-to-access areas

I'd also look at where the downpipes are located.

A house surrounded by trees with high, difficult-to-access gutters is going to require more maintenance than a simple roof with easy access.

And here's something people often forget:

Ask when the gutters were last cleaned.

It's a simple question, but it can tell you a lot.

🌿 4. I'd Think About Where the Leaves Are Going to Go

This might sound strange...

But I'd actually stand outside and imagine the property in autumn.

Where are the leaves going to end up?

If there's a huge deciduous tree next door, those leaves aren't going to politely stay on the neighbour's side of the fence.

They're going to end up:

🍂 On your roof🍂 In your gutters🍂 On your driveway🍂 Around your outdoor entertaining area🍂 In your garden

Again, I love trees.

I'm not saying don't buy a house with trees.

I'm saying understand the maintenance that comes with them.

☀️ 5. If There Are Solar Panels, I'd Think About How Easy They Are to Clean

Solar panels are fantastic, but I'd definitely check their location.

Are they easily accessible?

Are they underneath trees?

Are birds regularly sitting on the roof?

Are there lots of leaves around them?

Solar panels can collect dust, pollen, pollution film, bird droppings and other debris.

And while Melbourne's rain will wash away some loose dust, it doesn't necessarily remove everything.

So if you're buying a property with solar panels, I'd ask:

"How are these going to be maintained?"

It's a small thing to think about during an inspection that can make a big difference over the years.

🪟 6. I'd Count the Windows

Yes.

I'd actually count them.

And I'd look at them properly.

Because windows are one of those things you don't think much about when buying a house.

Until you own a two-storey home with 35 windows.

Suddenly, cleaning them becomes a bit of an event!

I'd look at:

• How many windows there are

• How high they are

• Whether they open easily

• Whether they're accessible from inside

• Whether there are large amounts of glass

• Whether there are difficult-to-reach windows

• Whether there are lots of small panes

Large windows can be beautiful.

But lots of difficult-to-access windows can add considerably to your ongoing maintenance.

*Tip: Small older windows are more expensive to clean as opposed to larger modern windows.

🏡 7. I'd Think About the Exterior Walls

Here's another one buyers often overlook.

Stand back from the house and look at the exterior.

Is it brick?

Render?

Weatherboard?

Painted surfaces?

Cladding?

Different exterior surfaces require different types of care.

I'd look for:

• Mould

• Algae

• Dirt

• Cobwebs

• Peeling paint

• Discolouration

• Areas that stay permanently shaded

I'd also look at whether the house is surrounded by dense vegetation.

A property with lots of shade and moisture around the exterior can require more frequent cleaning.

🧱 8. I'd Look at the Driveway and Paths

This is a big one.

I'd walk up the driveway and actually look down.

Is it:

• Concrete?

• Pavers?

• Asphalt?

• Gravel?

Are there black or green patches?

Is there moss or algae?

Is the driveway shaded?

Does water drain away properly?

A driveway that already has significant mould or algae build-up could require professional pressure cleaning.

And if it's heavily shaded, you may find it needs attention more frequently.

💧 9. I'd Watch Where the Water Goes

This might be one of the most important things I'd check.

If you're inspecting a property after rain—or if there's been rain recently—have a look around.

Where does the water go?

Does it drain away from the house?

Do gutters appear to be coping?

Are there puddles?

Is water sitting against walls?

Does the driveway drain properly?

You don't have to be a building expert to notice whether water seems to have somewhere sensible to go.

My rule?

Water should have a clear path away from your home.

If something looks unusual, ask questions and have the appropriate professional inspect it before buying.

🕷️ 10. I'd Look Under the Eaves

This is where my cleaning brain really kicks in!

I'd look under:

• Eaves

• Verandahs

• Balconies

• Porches

• Window awnings

• Outdoor entertaining areas

Are there lots of cobwebs?

Is there dust and grime?

Are there birds nesting?

Is there mould?

These areas are often forgotten because they're not directly in front of you.

But they're also the areas that can make a home look tired when they start to build up.

🪜 11. I'd Think About Access

This is something I think homeowners should consider much more often.

How easy is it to actually maintain this property?

Can you get around the sides of the house?

Is there a narrow passage?

Can equipment reach the backyard?

Are there steep areas?

Is the house built right up against the boundary?

Are there high sections that are difficult to access?

A property doesn't have to be difficult to maintain just because it's large.

Sometimes a simple, well-designed property is much easier to care for than a smaller home with awkward access.

🏘️ 12. I'd Look at the Neighbours' Trees and Properties Too

This one catches people out.

You might have a lovely, low-maintenance backyard...

but the property next door might have a giant tree hanging over your roof.

You're buying the house, but you're also buying into its surroundings.

I'd look at:

• Trees on neighbouring properties

• Nearby parks

• Bushland

• Overhanging branches

• Large deciduous trees

• Bird activity

All of these can affect how often you need to clean and maintain your property.

🌧️ 13. I'd Come Back on a Different Day If I Could

This is a bit of a luxury, but if you're seriously considering a property, I'd try to see it more than once.

A house can look completely different:

On a sunny afternoon

compared with

after a week of Melbourne rain.

You might notice water pooling, overflowing gutters, mould, drainage issues or areas that stay damp.

You also get a much better idea of how much natural light the property receives.

🧹 14. I'd Ask Myself: "How Much Cleaning Am I Signing Up For?"

This is probably the question I'd ask myself before making an offer.

Not:

"Can I afford the house?"

But:

"Can I comfortably maintain the house?"

Because the purchase price is only part of owning a property.

There's:

• Gardening

• Window cleaning

• Gutter cleaning

• Pressure cleaning

• Solar panel maintenance

• Roof maintenance

• Painting

• Repairs

• General upkeep

A home that looks affordable on paper can become much more expensive if it's constantly demanding your time and money.

❤️ 15. And Finally... I'd Choose a Home I Actually Enjoy

Now, after everything I've just said, I don't want you thinking I'm suggesting you buy a boring little box with no trees, no windows and no garden!

Absolutely not.

A home should still be a home.

If you love a big garden, buy the big garden.

If you love huge windows, enjoy the sunshine.

If you want a double-storey house with a beautiful roof, go for it.

The point isn't to avoid maintenance altogether.

That's impossible.

The point is to understand what you're buying.

If you know that a property has lots of trees, lots of windows and difficult roof access, you can factor that into your decision and your ongoing budget.

My Simple "Easy-to-Maintain Home" Checklist

If I were comparing two properties, I'd be looking for:

🌳 Outside

• Fewer large trees directly over the house

• Good drainage

• Easy access around the property

• Manageable garden areas

• Driveways and paths that drain well

🏠 Roof & Gutters

• Simple roof design

• Easily accessible gutters

• Good downpipe locations

• Minimal leaf build-up

• Solar panels that can be safely maintained

🪟 Windows

• Sensible number of windows

• Good access

• Not too many difficult-to-reach areas

🧱 Exterior

• Easy-to-maintain surfaces

• Good sunlight and airflow

• Minimal damp or permanently shaded areas

💧 Water

• Gutters that drain properly

• Downpipes that discharge correctly

• No obvious water pooling

• Water directed away from the home

One Last Thing From Me

After more than 30 years of cleaning Melbourne homes, I've learnt that the easiest homes to maintain aren't necessarily the newest or most expensive ones.

They're the homes that have been designed and looked after sensibly.

And when you're buying a property, it's very easy to get distracted by the beautiful kitchen, the renovated bathroom or the gorgeous backyard.

They're important too.

But before you fall completely in love with the house, I'd suggest taking one more walk around the outside.

Look up.

Look down.

Look behind things.

Look at the gutters.

Look at the roof.

Look at the windows.

Look at where the water goes.

And ask yourself:

"What is this house going to ask me to look after over the next 10 years?"

Because you're not just buying a house.

You're buying everything that comes with looking after it.

And if you choose wisely, maintaining your home can be much easier, more predictable and less expensive than you might expect.

A Little Advice From Middleton's Cleaning

We see a lot of different Melbourne homes every week, and if there's one thing I'd tell any homeowner, it's this:

Don't wait until something looks terrible before you maintain it.

Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep your property looking its best and can help you spot potential problems before they become bigger jobs.

At Middleton's Cleaning, we provide:

• Window Cleaning

• Gutter Cleaning

• Solar Panel Cleaning

• Pressure Cleaning

• Exterior House Washing

• Residential & Commercial Cleaning

Family Owned Since 1991 | Fully Insured | Melbourne Wide Service | Free Quotes

If you're looking at buying a property and aren't sure what sort of exterior maintenance it might need, we're always happy to give you honest advice.

— Jan Middleton