Assess the Physical Condition of a Home

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Always take a closer look at the house you’re interested in buying to make a basic assessment of its structure and condition. Here is a checklist for buyers that will give you a good starting place. Sellers can also take note of this list too.

• A neat and clean exterior. Concrete and brick surfaces should be free of missing mortar, cracks and flaking. Siding should also be painted or new and free of warped, rotted or blistered spots. Window screens should also be intact.

• A very solid foundation. There should be no cracks or holes. The ground should slope away from the house so that water is directed away. There should also be no sunken spots in the yard because this is an indication of a drainage problem.

• A good roof. The roof should be in good repair state. No shingles should be missing.

• An interior that’s well maintained. All walls should be free of cracks and freshly painted.

• Sturdy and level floors. Wood floors and carpets should be clean and and in fairly good condition.

• Windows should open and close easily. They should also insulate well against heat and cold.

• A dry basement. Stains and musty odors on the floors or walls are indicators of a problem. As a buyer you should ask questions if the basement floors have been freshly painted.

• A hardworking kitchen. The kitchen should have up-to-date appliances and should also have adequate working spaces.

• Adequate water pressure. Run several faucets at once or run a faucet and flush the toilet to see how much water pressure you will lose.

• Bathroom tiles. The tiles should have no mildew in the grout.

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