Here is a short list of general indicators of condition and maintenance for which to be on the lookout; they can be easily noticed during a viewing without making out of the ordinary efforts. Finding several of the indicators will tell you that an inspection of the house will be wise. Remember to mention your concerns when arranging your inspection.
| Exterior
|
Observation & Comments
|
|
Driveway – private/shared cracks/ruts/condition
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roof covering – tile, metal, shingles: asphalt/wood older/newer; flat
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chimneys - missing bricks, open mortar, leaning
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gutters - loose, plants, detached/falling, damaged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Downspouts - damaged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Siding – damaged, loose
|
|
|
|
|
Brickwork - cracked,
missing or broken bricks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Windows - broken glass, rotten wood, damaged screens, old
|
|
|
|
|
|
No GFI receptacle outside
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grading - top of foundation under soil
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interior
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walls - -papered/painted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bows or bulges
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patches
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ceilings - smooth/textured
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sags
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patches
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains or mould around window glass or on sills or wall below window
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floors
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uneven or Sloping
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bouncing
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rusting underside of metal wash basins
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains & leaks under sinks
|
|
|
|
|
|
No GFI receptacle in bathroom
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foundation Walls - concrete/block/brick
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bows or bulges
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patches
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains, especially at or near bottom of wall
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished Ceilings - suspended/tile/drywall
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sags
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patches
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stains or mould (window glass/sills/walls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insulation: not visible/ none/partial/full height
|
|
|
|
|
|
Water meter: not visible/ leakage/loose ground wire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floor slopes to drain/no drain
|
|
|
|
|
|
Furnace
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rusted/old
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas/oil/electric/heat pump
|
|
|
|
|
|
Humidifier: leakage/rust
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central A/C: none/leakage/staining
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electrical
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service capacity: ask agent or owner
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fuses or breakers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Knob & tube wiring
|
|
|
|
|
|
Updates
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plumbing
|
|
|
|
|
|
Water
|
|
|
|
|
|
Size of service
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service pipe material: lead/copper/plastic
|
|
|
|
|
|
Size of house piping
|
|
|
|
|
|
Material: copper/grey or white plastic/iron or galvanised/lead
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signs of leakage
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signs of repairs
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waste Water Piping material: copper/black plastic/iron or galvanised
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Observations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
