Last time we gave you some pointers on what to look for in a house purchase. Keep an eye out for these signs.
Check out the condition of the roof for loose or curling shingles, or shingles that have lost their protective coating. Even if you do much of the work yourself, this can be expensive, particularly if you have to remove layers of shingles. And it doesn’t add substantial value to the house. If the house is otherwise great but needs a roofing job, look closely. Are there two layers of shingles already, necessitating removal? Calculate this into your offer.
Ventilation. As we often mention, ventilation is important. If the attic is open, check it for proper air circulation, particularly if the attic floor has been insulated. Bad ventilation leads to premature roof damage.
Check the electrical service by looking at the meter, and open the breaker or fuse panel to look for obvious problems such as burned wiring or fuses too large for the wire. 14 wire should have no more than a 15 amp fuse and 12 wire no more than a 20. Check a few plugs for reversed wiring using a voltage tester (the short slot should be the hot wire.) Check for proper grounding by connecting the hot slot to the grounding hole and the screw on the faceplate; it should light up. If you find a lot of problems, you have a big wiring job on your hands.
Look at the plumbing. If it’s galvanized steel or lead, you can be sure it’s pretty old and you may be looking at replacement soon (immediately if it’s lead).
Even if you’re sure you’ve found the home of your dreams, getting a home inspector to give it a thorough review is another good idea. More on that next time.