Things to Look for When Viewing a Home

No doubt you’ll have your list of wants and needs, but once you find that home, what should you look for in the brief time you’re touring it?

Exterior

On the exterior of the home There are four key areas you can assess quickly to get an idea of how well the home has been maintained:

Roof:

  • Are there missing shingles? Y / N

  • Is there moss growing on the roof? Y / N

  • Do you see any rusting metal components? Y / N

Siding:

  • Is the paint cracked or peeling? Y / N

  • Are any siding components missing or damaged? Y / N

  • is there at least 6” between the soil and bottom of the siding Y / N

Soil:

  • Is the ground sloping toward the house? Y / N

Foundation:

  • Are there cracks larger than ¼ inch? Y / N

  • Are any bricks or masonry units missing? Y / N

  • Is the foundation leaning toward or away from the house? Y / N

Interior

The interior of a home has many areas that aren’t readily accessible during a quick tour, but there are still plenty of things to look for to help gauge how sound an investment you’re making.

Doors and Cabinets:

  • Are the doors square within the frames? Y / N

  • Do doors open and close without being forced? Y / N

  • Is the countertop level? (A small ball is a great tool to check this without needing a level.) Y / N

Electrical:

  • Flip switches to see if they work correctly. Y / N

  • Check if outlets have two or three holes— If most are two-hole outlets this could suggest outdated wiring. Y / N

  • check the brand of electrical panel (Keep an eye out for Zinsco and Federal Pacific both brands are known to be Fire Hazards)

Plumbing:

  • Turn on faucets and check for leaks under the sink. Y / N

  • Flush toilets—does the water go down smoothly and refill properly? Y / N

  • How long does it take for hot water to arrive (if at all)? Y / N

  • Is there good water flow in sinks, tubs, and showers? Y / N

  • Test stoppers by letting a sink fill, does it drain properly. Y / N

Heating and Cooling:

  • Does the heating system produce warm air? Y / N

  • If it’s above 65°F, turn on the AC—does it blow cold air? Y / N

By no means does this list cover everything included in a full home inspection. The goal here is to give you ways to quickly check the overall condition of a property and gauge how well it has been maintained. This list should never be used as a replacement for a professional home inspection.