When you visit our website, we may send you a cookie. To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy. By continuing to use our website, you agree to this.
By continuing, you agree to our Cookie Policy.
Home > Loans > Mortgages > Mortgage Guides > Checklist for viewing a house

Checklist for viewing a house

Buying a house is one of the most exciting and costly decisions you may make. As such, it is never a good idea to simply jump into a purchase without checking a few things first. There are many things you will want to consider when shopping for a house including price, location and aesthetic appeal.

Things to consider

However, perhaps the most important things you will want to check out when viewing a house are the technical aspects of the property. What this means is looking for such things as structural problems, exterior or interior damage, leaky roofs, plumbing issues and anything else that needs to be repaired.

By finding and taking note of these problems from the start, you can either choose to continue your search or have the seller absorb any repair costs. You may need to visit the property more than once to examine everything that is necessary and to observe the progression of any required repairs.

Exterior checklist

*Does the house need to be re-painted?
*Are the window sills rotting?
*Are there any cracks in the front or back door?
*Is the roof in good condition? Does it need new shingles?
*If there is a chimney, is it in good shape?
*Are the gutters clean? Have they been maintained?
*Do the walls or foundation seem to be leaning or swelling?
*Are there any missing or crumbling bricks on the home or unattached buildings?
*Is there any rotted wood on decking or fencing?
*If there is fencing, is it in good repair?
*Are there any signs of termites?
*If there is a garden, does it have proper drainage?
*Are there any overgrown trees that could pose a problem?
*Are there any broken windows?

Interior checklist

*Is the home free of mold and mildew?
*Do the ceilings have water stains? Do they seem to be sagging?
*Are wood floors stained, loose, rotted or warped?
*Are carpets stained? Do they need to be replaced?
*Are the walls, wall paper and/or wall tiles in good shape?
*Are there any broken door locks?
*Are there any exposed wires?
*Is the house big enough for your furniture?
*Is there enough storage/cupboard space?
*Do any doors or cupboards have broken hinges?
*Do all the light fixtures work?
*How is the home heated and cooled?
*Does each room have access to power outlets? Are the outlets in good shape?
*Do windows open and close easily? Are their locks in good repair?
*Does the house have smoke detectors?
*Does the house have an alarm system?

Kitchens and bathrooms checklist

*Are there any plumbing problems?
*Does the hot water heater work properly?
*Is there proper ventilation for bathrooms?
*Is there a working extraction fan in the kitchen?
*Does the house have a fridge, stove, washing machine and dryer? Do they work properly?
*Are tiles/linoleum in good condition?
*Is there any rust around sinks, tubs, toilets or the hot water heater?
*Are bathroom cabinets in good repair?
*Is there any water damage under sinks, beneath tubs or around toilets?
*Do all faucets work? Do they leak or drip? Do any pipes leak?
*Is there a problem with the water pressure or temperature?
*Are there any foul odors coming from bathrooms?
*Are drains and toilets working properly?
*Is the silicon sealant around the bathroom fixtures in good shape?

 

Miscellaneous checklist

*Is the home properly insulated including the attic if it has one?
*Are windows double glazed?
*Do doors have draft proofing?
*Do appliances have good energy efficiency ratings?
*Do neighbors seem unusually loud?
*Are there any schools nearby?
*What are the taxes like?
*Where is the nearest shopping center, police station and fire station?
*What is the condition of the driveway?
*If there is a garage, is it big enough for your vehicle?
*Why does the seller want to sell?

When you are shopping for a house, it can help you if you check the items listed above. By taking note of each of these items, you can catch any problems before finalizing your purchase. With that said, when viewing a home, take your time and examine it closely to make sure that it will suit your needs.

Return to Top ▲Return to Top ▲