THE STRUCTURE

Look at the house from a distance. Check the walls: do they look flat, or plump in some areas? Then go inside. Check if there any parts in the walls that appear bowed. Ideally they should appear square at the corners. Another trick is to jump in the middle of the floors of each room, but particularly the living room. Does it give in or is it solid?

WATER CONTROL

Check if the ground has a slope. This will determine how water will flow. You should also check if gutters, downspouts and drainage pipes will successfully lead away any excees water away from the main house, or cause it to collect in the basement. You should also inspect for any signs of water damage.

ROOF

Ideally the roof should be new or at least in excellent shape. Check workmanship. Is it neatly and properly constructed?

DETAILS AND FIXTURES

Observe how the house was done, and if the moldings, tilework, hardware and paint were done well. Shoddy worksmanship will have to be repeated so factor that in your costings.

Look also at the fixtures of the kitchen and bath. How are the sinks, toilets and tubs? Open them to see if they work without any problem. Also check the water pressure after turning on the faucets and flushing the toilet;

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Check the receptacles (how many they are, and where they are located). Will they be enough for your needs? Is the main circuit breaker marked at least “100 amps”?

WATER , PLUMBING AND HEAT

Ask if the water heater uses gas (more efficient) or electricity. You should also make sure that any supply pipes connecting the water heater to fixtures are made of copper.

As for heating, ask for the locations of furnace or heater. How many rooms don’t have heating? Also check air conditioning. As for insulation, check that the attack has R-19 (6 inches of fiberglass, for example) if you live in a moderate climates. Very cold climates require up to R-38 (12 inches of fiberglass). Then check wall insulation by removing the receptacle cover on the perimeter wall.

For efficient heating, fireplaces must have screens or glass doors. Check for dampers and log lighters, and whether the house has a combustion vent that circulates air from outside. The chimney must have a spark arrestor.

Prudent home buyers will make a thorough examination of a house for any hidden problems or damage. This step will help you make an informed decision. You can factor in the costs of repair in your total budget. You can even convince the seller to absorb some of the costs or lower the price of a home. But how does one make a thorough inspection?

Security is an importance concern. Check if the doors leading into the home re solid with five-bar mortice locks. Even the internal doors should have locks. Check the windows on the ground floor, and the fences surrounding the property.

You should also think about gas and electricity. Is the wiring old? Are the cables frayed? You wouldn’t want a fire to start! Check the electric gas fires work, and make sure it heats up properly and doesn’t show signs of heat stain. Also double check if the plugs warm up when switched on. What about the number of outlets? Are they enough for your needs? Review if you will have enough for your cooker, fridge-freezer etc. As for gas appliances ask the landlord/agency for the certificate for gas safety. Some landlords may hold a certificate stating that the property has had an electrical check within the last five years. This is not a legal requirement but it would be good if they have it. If you are renting or buying an old home inspect the gas and electricity meters and have them read right after you have taken responsibility for the property.

Are you buying the home furnished? Or renting it from someone? Check the furniture. Will you have enough furniture for yourself and your family? Is it in good condition? Is there adequate storage space?

Plumbing should also be in good working order. Check if you have hot running water. Be sure to test all the faucets and toilets, and see if the water pressure is good and that they don’t leak when used. Inspect bath and basins for cracks and broken tiles.

Compare the condition of the home and the price that it is being sold or rented out with those of other properties in the area.

Wood is an exceptionally beautiful material, especially when it is part of the exterior of a home. Unfortunately, while visually appealing, wood simply isn’t as durable as other man made materials. If you are considering a house with a lot of wood features, fixtures and trim, you’ll have to check for signs.

First of all, looks can deceive. What wood looks like has nothing to do with the condition. A perfectly beautiful piece of wood trim may hide termites or actually be rotting beneath its lacquered surface.

Instead, you’ve got to watch out for degradation. One way to do this is to physically touch the wood. In fact, instead of using your eyes, you are probably going to get a more accurate assessment if you give it a good poke with a finger. Check for soft areas. Soft areas are a sign of rot in one form or another. Now if you spot a sign of rotting wood in one part of the house, then immediately check all the other areas. You should more or less assume that you will find rot throughout the structure. This may be a sign that you should start looking at other homes!

But soft spots in wood isn’t the worst of the problems you can find. Be very alarmed if when you poke or squeeze a piece of wood, it crumbles in your hands, and dust or even large pieces of it fall off. This is a sign of termites, a definite danger sign for any prospective home. If you purchase the house, you wil have to invest in hiring professionals who will kill the bugs. You may even need to call in inspectors to look at the damage that the termites have left. It’s very expensive!

So don’t just fall for the speech that the house is made of old antique wood and that you should consider yourself lucky to buy such an heirloom. While wooden homes are indeed very beautiful, you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to do the repairs and inspections. It’s also a reminder that you should never just rely on a visual inspection of it when deciding on the merits of the house.