Buying a house: The inside of the house – Part 2

Here are some more things to look for when inspecting a house you like:

1. Check for major cracks in the walls - a freshly painted house might be hiding this (and other faults) so be cautious .
2. Do doors get stuck when opening and closing them. Are the doors damaged? You will be surprised to find that in some homes people actually kick in their doors.
3. Check for leaky roofs – look for watermarks on the ceiling and/or walls.
4. Open windows to see if they get stuck or if window panes are broken. Check the woodwork. Press your finger into the wood. If it is soft, the woodwork was not looked after and it is probably rotten.
5. Check plug points in the house – are there enough – will you need to replace any?
6. Check light switches – you may have to replace some of them
7. Do you like the colour paint on the walls? If not, you will have to repaint it. It is always good to budget for this before going house hunting.
8. Check the condition of the carpet in rooms. Find out how old is the carpet. If there are marks on them, can it be cleaned or does the carpet need to be replaced?
9. Check the light fittings in all the rooms.
10. Does the house have an alarm system? If yes, ask how long ago was it installed. Is it connected to an alarm company?
11. If the house has a wooden floor (usually old houses), jump on it to feel how solid the floor is. Sounds of squeaking is usually not good. If the wooden floor is covered with a carpet, it could be hiding some problems. Ask questions about the floor and inspect it.
12. Are the rooms in the house (bedrooms and other rooms) big enough for your furniture? Ensure that the house has the minimum bedrooms that you require.
13. Is the house structurally sound?
14. Take a torch with you to check behind furniture, fridges and dark corners in the house.