Ten (or more) Lessons Learned from Doing My Own Inspections.

Houses like people have histories and personalities.  Things happen to them and the walls, floors, ceilings and fixtures can tell their stories.

In no particular order, these are things I have learned along the way.  These observations or tips are based on my own personal experience of looking at lots and lots and lots of houses. 

1. If there are specifics missing on the listing sheet ask the agent lots of questions, and research, research and research until you get the answers. Double check tax records.

2. If there is a leak in the walls or ceilings, as evidenced by stains, this means that there was water and water may mean mold.

3. Peeling paint, particularly near room corners is never a good sign.

4. When you walk from room to room, does the layout make sense.

5. Know what droppings of rodents and bugs look like. 

6. If the crack is larger than half of my pinky finger, their is likely a huge problem. Follow the cracks from the floor to the ceiling with your eyes.

7. Walk around the entire property, look at the spots where the foundation meets the ground and where the house is connected.

8. Electricity, look inside the grey box, if it looks like a mess then you know what behind the walls might look like, and there should be at least 4 sockets per room.

9 . Shine your flashlight in all of the places that scare you...and go into that basement and look in all of the corners. Wet musky basements are never really good signs.

10. Smell, smell and smell.  

11. Carpets are covering something, take a peek under them (if you can).

12. Run the faucets and look under the sink.

Oh I forgot to mention, this is not in place of a home inspection this is what I do when I have my first looks. I try to go back several times, at least 2 before making an offer.