It is easy to be enchanted with a home upon seeing it at first glance, if you do happen to be planning to buy a home. Don't say we didn't warn you. Likewise, you would want to pay attention to the inner details because they just might make your dream home into a "nightmare."
Windows
If you have decided on buying a home, then there should be several things considered for your checklist. There is an old clich that eyes are the window to a person' soul. In the case of a home, they can be a clue to the quality of the home building if you check the following:
The first item to check is whether the windows open and close properly. Quality windows should slide easily and with little noise. A low-quality window would make irritating noises and stick to their spot. If you notice that one or more windows cannot open or close, you must find out the reason why. Is it because the windows are of poor quality, or is the house's foundation causing it to move? Determine the reason why and act accordingly.
The second item to check is soft or mushy sills at the base of the window. If the sills appear to be rotting in any way, then chances are they are indeed mushy, but to gauge the softness of the sills, best thing to do is to run your hand across them, but not too firmly. You have every reason to be concerned in the event of mushy sills. This would be due to poor water absorption, which directly results in the mushy consistency. Furthermore, the softer your sills feel, the longer the problem has been in place. This may also mean your windows are infested with mold, which can be quite a costly issue to have remedied. If the home really appeals to your tastes, insist vehemently that the seller pays for an inspection. If the seller refuses, walk away from the home.
Water stains are the final window item to check for during your viewing. Just because the sills are not soft, doesn't mean there isn't a leakage problem. There would definitely be a water issue if you notice stains around the window frame. Look for rooms that have not been painted when making your inspection. Put on your "game face" and ask of the seller that they state on the sales agreement that before they repainted the house, there were no water stains present.
Windows are usually the barometer of solid workmanship and high quality in a home. By thoroughly scrutinizing your home's windows, you would have a good idea whether the home you want is a good investment or not.
Windows
If you have decided on buying a home, then there should be several things considered for your checklist. There is an old clich that eyes are the window to a person' soul. In the case of a home, they can be a clue to the quality of the home building if you check the following:
The first item to check is whether the windows open and close properly. Quality windows should slide easily and with little noise. A low-quality window would make irritating noises and stick to their spot. If you notice that one or more windows cannot open or close, you must find out the reason why. Is it because the windows are of poor quality, or is the house's foundation causing it to move? Determine the reason why and act accordingly.
The second item to check is soft or mushy sills at the base of the window. If the sills appear to be rotting in any way, then chances are they are indeed mushy, but to gauge the softness of the sills, best thing to do is to run your hand across them, but not too firmly. You have every reason to be concerned in the event of mushy sills. This would be due to poor water absorption, which directly results in the mushy consistency. Furthermore, the softer your sills feel, the longer the problem has been in place. This may also mean your windows are infested with mold, which can be quite a costly issue to have remedied. If the home really appeals to your tastes, insist vehemently that the seller pays for an inspection. If the seller refuses, walk away from the home.
Water stains are the final window item to check for during your viewing. Just because the sills are not soft, doesn't mean there isn't a leakage problem. There would definitely be a water issue if you notice stains around the window frame. Look for rooms that have not been painted when making your inspection. Put on your "game face" and ask of the seller that they state on the sales agreement that before they repainted the house, there were no water stains present.
Windows are usually the barometer of solid workmanship and high quality in a home. By thoroughly scrutinizing your home's windows, you would have a good idea whether the home you want is a good investment or not.
Search
Custom Search