Home Inspection Part 2:

Last week we talked about some exterior elements to look for when looking at a home.  This week I would like to talk about some of the interior elements to look for in the home you are considering.  One of the fist things to look for when you are looking at a home are the walls and ceilings.  If you see cracks in the  sheet rock or plaster then you need to be concerned.  Some cracks are pretty benign and shouldn't be a big red flag.  On the other hand some cracks should be a red flag.  How to determine the difference.  Usually what I look for is how big or long the crack is and also if it is in a straight line or if it is at an angle.  Usually cracks that occur in the joints aren't something that is a serious defect in the home, but could be caused by a poor tape job when they did the sheet rock or it could be from minor settling after the dry wall was finished.  You will also see cracks along joints if a home has been left vacant and there have been large temperature differences over time.  When you have large variances in temperature you get contraction and expansion which will sometime cause cracks along the joints.  If you see cracks that go at angles or have wide gaps in them then you should be very cautious.  Most of the times those crack are revealing a much deeper problem, such as structural damage caused by settling of the soil which can be caused by many different things.  If there is large movement in a homes foundation it will usually manifest itself in the sheet rock or plaster.  When you see these cracks you need to have a professional look at them and determine the cause of the cracks and is it something that will continue to occur and if the problem can be fixed.  When looking at homes look for differences in the dry wall finish.  If you see area's where the texture looks different then you may have issues that someone is trying to cover up.  Sometimes you will see a difference in the paint sheen or color.  These items may not be deal killers if you can find out what is causing them and they can be repaired.  I sold a home to my brother that had a settling issue that was easily fixed.  We had a professional come out and look at the problem and gave us a bid to fix the home.  It cost about $10,000 to fix it, but it was well worth it, because he was able to get such a good deal on the home.  Some homes are built on expansive soils and will exhibit these issues and usually they aren't going away, so it is something that you will have to deal with throughout home ownership and it will make it difficult to sell in the future, so it would be wise to stay away from those problems.  Another thing I look for is the reveal around the door ways.  If the gap around the door is consistent then you should be fine, if not take a closer look.  I always recommend opening and closing every door when you go through a home.  Some doors may not open all the way, because the won't clear the counter top or because of other obstructions in the home.  I would also recommend that you open and close every window that is operable in the home.  Be especially careful of single and double hung windows (the type that move up and down).  Many of these types of windows have faulty lift mechanisms in them.  Also look for those window that look fogged, because more than likely the seal has been broken and condensation will accumulate between the panes of glass.  Also make sure that the screens can be easily removed for cleaning.  One other thing to do is open and close all cabinet doors and drawers.  Check to make sure that they all work properly and have no obstructions when you open and close them.  Also check to see the quality of the construction.  A good quality cabinet will have hardwood drawers that are dovetailed front and back.  Sometimes the face of the drawer is dovetailed into the box, sometimes the box is dovetailed and the face is screwed onto the drawer.  Another thing that I look for is to see if the cabinet boxes have face frames on them.  There are many cabinet makers that sell there cabinets as a European slim line and make it sound good and all it is, is a cheap quality cabinet.  A good cabinet will have a face frame on the boxes to give stability and durability to the cabinet.  The quality of the cabinets and windows is a good indicator of the quality the builder has put into the home.  If you are looking to have quality cabinets look to the hardwoods for you next cabinets.  Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Hickory are usually very good woods to use.  Avoid woods like Alder, pine and cedar.  These woods don't usually hold up very long as they are softer woods.  Many people like the knots in the wood, but these should actually be less expensive than cabinets with out the knots.  Knots in woods can also be a week point for future damage.  Next time you look at a home, look at it through different eyes and you can avoid frustration down the road.