The first room we usually encounter as we enter a home is the living room. As you start your room-by-room inspection, keep in mind that the items listed below for the living room also pertain when you inspect other rooms of the house, where applicable, including:
Floor Plan
Is it "four walls" or an open layout with a view to the Dining Room and/or kitchen?
How will your existing furniture fit into the room?
Will this room be hard to decorate?
Ceiling
Are any cracks visible? Is the paint chipped or peeling?
While some cracking is normal as a house ages, excessive or large cracks can be a cause for concern. The size of the cracks and their location can tell you a lot.
Is there a cathedral ceiling or skylight? Has the sky light been leaking? Most of them do sooner or later.
Do the ceilings in one part of the house have a different texture or appearance than the ceilings in the rest of the house? If so, why?
Fireplace:
Is the mantel, frame or skirt cracked, damaged or scratched?
Is there a creosote build-up in the fire-pit or flue?
