As I stand at the front door of a charming home, I’m considering purchasing, my heart races with anticipation. This walk-through is my chance to uncover the house’s secrets before committing to a life-changing investment. With many homes approaching one million dollars or more, I will need to be thorough.

My agent turns the key and opens the door, I step into the foyer, the place looks great. I take a deep breath in, I am not over powered by deodorizer smells, this is a good sign nothing to mask any telltale odours. One of the main areas of concern is over my head, I start with looking up at the ceiling. Patches or water stains could signal leaks from the roof or plumbing above.

The ceiling looks clean, but I note a slight discolouration near the corner, worth asking about later. I run my hand along the walls, feeling for cracks or uneven textures that might indicate settling or structural issues. The paint feels fresh, but I check the baseboards for gaps, which could suggest foundation movement. So far, the entryway feels solid.

Moving to the living room, I try the windows and doors to test their functionality. Do they slide smoothly, or are they stuck? Misaligned doors can indicate uneven settling of the foundation, structural issues, or moisture damage definitely something to pay attention to.

The hardwood floors creak slightly underfoot, so I look........

© Castanet