I recently read about a homeowner who bought a resale HDB only to realise there were 14 holes in the ceiling. While this was an issue that was harder to spot (it was covered by the false ceiling), this oversight would become a costly problem as the unit was bought on a caveat emptor basis. Perhaps it’s a consequence of Singapore’s generally safe environment, that many homeowners can get overly relaxed when looking for their home. It may also be down to the current hot property market. If you are competing with many other buyers for a popular property, it’s just natural to rush into a decision and overlook the details of the home. After all, if you are fussy about it, there will always be someone else who isn’t – and willing to take the place given the demand for homes. But remember, buying a home is unlike buying a phone or a television set....