What should I look for during a new house walkthrough?
Question:I purchased a new construction inventory home and have the initial walkthrough tomorrow with a home inspector. Can you give me any tips on things I should look at/for?
The house is in Florida, is 2 story frame build, 2 car garage..
Please skip the obvious items like flicking switches and opening doors.
Thanks in advance!
Answers:
Go in daylight, but bring a flashlight anyway to look into crawl spaces and the attic.
1) Nail pops -- along seam lines, corners, ceilings.
2) Sight along walls for waves.
3) Gaps along countertops (against the wall), baseboards, trim.
4) Gaps where flooring doesn't meet edges (vinyl, tile, carpeting)
5) Doors hung straight in frames, all latches open/close easily (doors hung crooked don't 'click' closed)
6) All screens are in, and without holes.
7) Cabinet doors hung straight and level, countertop seams are lined up and sealed correctly.
8) Hole for dryer vent is cut thru the outside (mine wasn't!)
9) Water works in all sinks/faucets - even outside.
10) GFI breakers are on all outlets near the kitchen or bathroom sinks.
11) Tile in bathrooms is straight and level, with no gaps in the grout or sealant.
12) Shower door is hung straight (opens/slides correctly)
13) Turn on heat for several minutes (check for warm air in vents), then switch to AC for cool air flow.
14) Garage door opens smoothly, doesn't catch or slip.
Look on the ceiling or walls for brown marks. This indicates leaks!! Even with fresh paint question it! flush the toilet and run the sink in the bathroom at the same time. This will indicate if there are any plumbing problems. Look at the ceiling fans and see if they work!! Look for ANY holes in corners and if you see little black pieces of droppings for rats/mice.
OH! If you see and dirt marks that looks like it is running up the walls inside or outside the house, that means there is a termite problem. and ASK if the owners had a previous termite problem.
Good luck!
check every thing from faucets n under all sinks for leaks and check for gaps at windows and doors and every thing else you can see that maybe off . hope your house is a dream .
mine is an older one but its been and still is a monster.
Check for large cracks on the garage floor, driveway or basement - could indicate foundation problems.
http://www.bigmodern.com
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