• Basements and attics. Check both the basement and the attic for evidence of water leakage or damage, particularly if they might have a ff ected insulation, walls, and ceiling. • Taps and pipes. Check that the plumbing is up-to-date. Run taps to ensure they work, and the water pressure is strong enough. Exposed pipes in unheated areas should be insulated, as frozen pipes will eventually cause water damage. • Condition of the home’s exterior. Is the exterior of the home in good shape and well-maintained? Check that the ground slopes away from the foundation. Check for cracks or crumbling in driveways and walkways. Check the siding as well as the overall landscaping for any issues. PROPERTY HISTORY It’s a good idea to look into the sales history of the property, public records, and other documentation, because this will reveal important information about the property in which you’re interested, providing valuable knowledge and saving you money or saving you from making a big mistake. You’ll likely be provided with a standard customer copy of listings, but don’t stop there — ask your agent for further and more detailed information, including how long the property has been on the market and even whether it was previously listed, withdrawn, and/or relisted for a lower price. Public records will give information such as original age of home, mortgage history, name of owners, previous sales, property deeds, property taxes, judgments, or liens, etc. You can also fin d out whether permits were obtained for home improvements to see if everything done was up to code. Don’t neglect this search or this step in the home-search process, 55
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