Tip #2 Home Condition - Look beneath the surface

On the surface, the home's condition may look great. Clean, fresh, very appealing. However, the value of a home is based not more than just the surface appeal, it must have substance. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating the condition of the house:

1. Determine the condition of the major components of the house. Fore each component ask yourself, how old is it? When was it replaced? Has it been upgraded? Consider the following major components:
   1. The Roof
   2. The Heating and Air Conditioning System
   3. Plumbing System
   4. Electric System
2. Do any of the rooms look updated? If so, ask who did the work and when. Work preformed by unskilled contractors might mean problems in the future.
   1. Has the kitchen been updated?
   2. Are the bathrooms remodeled?
   3. What about room additions or basement remodeling?
3. The appliances. Make sure each appliance works and ask how old they are. Ask the owner if they kept the owners manuals and if they purchased extended service contracts. Make sure you ask about:
   1. The refrigerator
   2. The Stove and Microwave
   3. The Dishwasher
   4. The Washer and Dryer
   5. The Water Softener