Checking For Potential Denver Home Problems Before You Buy
The last thing you want once you’ve closed on a home is to discover serious Denver home problems that might require expensive repairs. When you are looking at a Denver home, it’s important to check everything for potential problems. Below, check out some surprising ways that you can inspect a home you’re looking at.
Bring a Marble
Use your marbles, literally. To find out if the home is tilted at all, bring a marble with you and place it on the floor to see if it rolls. This is important because “sloping floors could be signs of a charming old house or a more serious condition with the foundation. If the marble does roll, proceed with caution and have a professional come inspect the home before you buy.
Take Pictures of Serial Numbers
It is rare for a seller to remember, or to disclose, exactly how old appliances are, so as you head through the house, take pictures of the serial numbers found on appliances. Once you are finished with your walkthrough, go home and Google the serial numbers to find out important information about the appliances including how old they are.
Check the Ceiling
Inspect the ceiling for water stains, which are signs of a leaky roof. If you notice a fresh paint job, be sure to ask whether or not there is water damage hiding underneath the new paint. According to the law in most states, owners must disclose many underlying problems, like water damage.
Open and Close Doors, Repeatedly
Doors might not be your number one priority as you complete your walkthrough, but it’s important that you pay attention to them. Open and close doors to see if they shut smoothly or bind and don’t latch, indicating signs of excessive settlement. Off-balance doors, and window frames, are the cause for sticking and are classic signs of a possible foundation problem.
Use Your Credit Card
It’s normal for foundations to include some cracks, but some cracks can be major causes for concern. Look at the foundation for any cracks larger than the thickness of a credit card, which could signify water leakage. Pay special attention to corner areas, since cracking there may be signs of movement, which may require repair.
Touch the Walls
To find out whether there is water damage, you can head to the basement of the home and check the base of the walls for water marks. You can also touch the walls, and if there is a lot of moisture the walls may feel a bit soft.
Get Video
If you are unable to inspect a crawl space or a cramped attic, try sticking your arm in with your phone and taking some video of the area. Then you can download the tape onto a computer and zoom in to get a good look.
Pull the Curtains
Oftentimes a window is foggy from condensation if the double-pane window seal is defective and leaks.
Use Technology
You know how they say “there’s an app for that?” That’s certainly true when it comes to touring homes. If a living room was advertised as being “sun-drenched” but you happen to visit on an overcast day, it can be hard to get a feel for how much natural light you will actually get. You can download the Sun Seeker app which will tell you when certain rooms in a home will get sunlight throughout the year. Look for home-buying apps to make the process of inspection easier and more thorough.
Go Outside
It’s tempting to spend all of your time indoors inspecting things, but it’s important that you go outside and take a look at the property. Homebuyers need to ensure that drainage is sufficient on any property. This is important because water damage can lead to expensive repairs and mold infestation. When you head outside, look at the ground directly adjacent to the foundation and see if the ground slopes away from or towards the house. If the grading slopes towards the home, you may be looking at structural damage, mold problems and damp crawlspaces. Downspouts should carry water at least 10 away from the house.
When you visit homes, you want to be sure and be thorough with your inspection. Making sure everything is in proper working order will help you avoid costly repairs once you’ve purchased the home. Use the techniques listed above to help avoid potential Denver home problems, allowing you to be a smart and savvy shopper as you look for your next home.