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Before you buy a house…

Buying a home or apartment is a major event and probably the largest purchase you will ever make.  It is for such reason that knowing what physical and legal aspects you should check out as far as the real property you are interested in is very important. This because, besides the price, there are aspects which to the naked eye are not visible and in the long run can cause problems. 

There are many instances where after moving into a new home, faulty installations or moisture in ceilings and walls pop up, or legal problems emerge. 

To prevent this from happening we suggest conducting a detailed investigation of the following aspects:

1. Check the condition of the finish. What type of maintenance were they given or how badly damaged they are.  
2. Make a fist and tap the walls. A hollow sound may indicate internal moisture which, in the short run, might mean the finish could become loose and come away from the wall.
3. In the ceiling corners (at the ceiling slab and wall joints) check to make sure there are no visible stains. In addition to no waterproofing, it could be that a pipe is broken.
4. Check the perimeter of the windows to make sure the caulking is functioning. No air should leak in, out or around the window.
5. Turn all the light switches on and off, and if possible leave them on while visiting the house. This will help detect if there are any electric charge problems.
6. Check to make sure the doors and windows open and close properly. The doors may be missing hinges or off level.
7. Open the water faucets, and check to make sure the outlet has sufficient force and the pipes are not clogged.
8. In the bathrooms, flush the WC (toilet or commode) and listen for how quickly the tank fills.
9. In the kitchen ask about the shutoff valve. Ideally, there should be two, one for gas and one for water.
10. On the roof, look for bubbles or cracks to assess the state of the rooftop waterproofing.
11. Check to make sure the water tank/reservoir is in working order, that the float is on the surface, and that there is as little dirt as possible in the water.
12. The walls bordering the garden or flower beds/planters can be susceptible to moisture.
13. A property over 20 years old requires changes to installations: electrical, sanitary (or plumbing) and pipes (pipelines) in general.

Source: metroscubicos.com

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