Siding:
Look for dents or buckling
Foundations:
Look for cracks or water seepage
Exterior Brick:
Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
Insulation:
Look for condition, adequate rating for climate (the higher the R value,
the more effective the insulation is)
Doors and Windows:
Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of
weatherstripping
Roof: Look for
age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose
gutters and downspouts
Ceilings, walls, and moldings:
Look for loose pieces, dry wall that is pulling away.
Porch/Deck:
Loose railings or step, rot
Electrical:
Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each
room
Plumbing: Look
for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that
indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
Water Heater:
Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating.
Furnace/Air Conditioning:
Look for age, energy rating. Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization
efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However,
other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as
electricity to operate motors.
Garage: Look
for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.;
condition of door mechanism.
Basement: Look
for water leakage, musty smell.
Attic: Look for
adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof.
Septic Tanks (if applicable):
Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area
and the size of your family.
Driveways/Sidewalks:
Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains.
Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of
the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® |
