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.

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Buying a house: The inside of the house – Part 1

When going house hunting, it is a very good idea to take a notepad and pen to jot down little notes about the houses you like. You could even take a picture of the house This is part of your research. Old houses as well as new houses can have problems. At first glance, you may not see anything wrong with a house but on closer inspection you might find a few problems.

Some things to look for when inspecting a house you like:

1. Turn on the taps in the kitchen and bathroom and even the shower to check the water pressure.
2. If possible, check the water cylinder or ask the person showing the house some questions. If it’s old or too small , you will probably have to replace it.
3. Check for damp. If the paint on the walls is peeling or has bubbles, a mouldy smell or watermarks; these could be signs of damp problems. Pull back curtains to see if there are any tell-tale signs.
4. Check the bathroom thoroughly for mould. If there is any on the ceiling, painting over it will not solve the problem. The ceiling will need to be replace.
5. Check the shower door – the glass may have to be replace if it’s broken.
6. Check the toilet – ensure that it flushes properly. Check for leaks – i.e. water on the floor.
7. If it’s a double storey house, there should be at least a toilet on each level.
8. In the bathroom and kitchen, check for cracked and loose tiles. Will the grout need to be replaced?
9. Check the bath and toilet for cracks.
10. Check the cupboards in the bathroom and kitchen. Are any of the doors damaged? Would any have to be replaced?
11. Check the sink in the kitchen. If it’s damaged, you will find tell-tale signs in the cupboard under the sink.
12. Will your own appliances be able to fit into the kitchen, or would you need to install new cupboards or make minor renovations?
13. If some of the appliances are being sold with the house, ensure that they are working and that there is no damage to them. If the appliances are old, you are probably going to replace them.

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