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Conducting a rundown of property items could make all the difference in the world. Preparation is essential, not all things will require costly repairs, however, some might. Before you head out to look at homes or before you put your home on the market, check out these items to ensure they are in proper working order:
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Look for settlement cracks on the wall, floor, or ceiling. Every home, at one time or another, will get a settlement crack, so if you find a few, there's no need to panic. However, if you notice major cracks, this could be a sign of structural problems. Often, if they are small cracks, they can easily be filled with plaster and repainted.
- Look for any leaks. If you notice any water damage marks on the walls, floors, or ceilings, this could simply be from a bathtub or toilet that might have overflowed, or, it could be serious and be due to a leaky roof or poor plumbing. Also, check the tile in the bathrooms and kitchen for any indication of behind the wall leaks, such as mildew or loose tiles.
- Open and close all the doors and windows. Listen for squeaks or sticking. In most cases, this is simply a matter of spraying some lubricant such as WD-40, but it could also be another indicator of settlement.
- If there is an outside deck, check for rotted wood, which could be a sign of termites or it might just be old wood needing to be replaced.
- Check all of the electrical outlets. You can simply take a working nightlight with you to plug in or you can buy a tester for about $10 that will tell you about most issues with the outlet. This will tell you if any of the outlets are not working properly.
- Check the garage doors, if applicable. Make sure they run smoothly on the track and that the openers are in good working order.
- Look for pests such as termites or ants. The best place to look is around the foundation, wiring, pipes, and doors or windows.
- Look at the grading of the yard, both front and back, to ensure that run-off water flows away from the house.
- Look at the gutters to ensure they are properly installed and that water flows out adequately.
- Check the driveway to look for crumbling concrete, pock marks, or holes that would need to be fixed.
- In many cases, the roof should be looked at by a professional. Make sure all venting penetrations are installed correctly. Pay attention to shingles to insure that they are not overly worn and they are all in place. Look out for algae growth in places of shade over the roof. Examine the lap of the roof shingles over the eves and see if eve flashing has been installed.
- Carefully check out the heating and cooling systems. These can be high dollar expenses so it's important that they are running properly. Often, these items are covered under a warranty so if there is a problem, see if you have warrant coverage.
- If there are any fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, make sure that the chimneys are clear of debris and that the flues and dampers are working properly. In the case of wood burning stoves, be aware of clearances necessary for safe operation.
- Caulking and weather stripping are important as well. Improper coverage will cause air leaks into the home, raising utility bills and causing unwanted drafts. It is also important to note the insulation where visible. In the case of blown in insulation in the attic a data plate is usually provided to show the R value and how much insulation was put down. In a crawl space floor insulation should be noted.
The good thing is that everything can be fixed. The bad part is that some items are costly, which is why it's so important to ensure you keep operating systems of the home in good working order.
If you are buying a house, a good inspector should find all of these items and allow you to work with the seller to ensure most or all are taken care of.
If you are selling your home, having these things working properly before you have a contract will put you in a much better position of getting a good price out of your home and having a smooth ride to the closing table.
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