Viewing houses is an exciting process. The colours, floor plans, finishes and presentation of a property can make one forget to ask about some important features that may not be on the listing. The answers to some of these questions could affect what you are prepared to offer for the house. In some cases, the information may alter your interest in putting in an offer at all. Although a home inspection by a qualified home inspector is the best way to determine the condition of the house, there are some features a careful and experienced realtor can check as you view homes.

1. Are there any visible signs of water damage or mold on the ceilings, in the walls or in the basement? Your realtor may look for any unusual stains on walls, ceilings or in the basement. They can check for any signs of efflorescence indicating previous water damage, and can look carefully for any signs of mold. A musty smell is also something that should be investigated in the basement. Some sources of excess moisture may be easily remedied, but often it can be a very expensive problem to repair.
2. How old is the furnace? The pressure test tag attached to the furnace at the time of installation will tell you how old the furnace is,  but it cannot tell you how  carefully it has been maintained. Age and maintenance both affect the useful life left in the appliance.
3. Is there any evidence of knob and tube wiring? Older houses may still have some knob and tube wiring. This may be observable in an unfinished  basement area. As this is an expensive item to replace,  and it is difficult to get home insurance if it is present as it is considered to be a higher fire risk. Without insurance it is not possible to get a mortgage. If there is knob and tube present, and you wish to purchase the house, it is wise to get an electrician who is a specialist to inspect and give you a quote on replacement wiring.
4. Ask your agent to have a look at the electrical panel. If it appears to be antiquated, you should be aware that a new panel and an electrical safety certificate should be obtained to make sure that all wiring is up to today’s safety standards.
5. If you like the house and are considering to put an offer on it and the age of the roof is not on the listing, have your agent call to obtain this information for you. Shingles do not weather well in this climate, and even on a relatively new house it is important to consider how soon the roof may have to be replaced.