How to Spot Flaws in a Floor Plan

When shopping for a house, most people often look at homes that are occupied. Since the house is full of furniture, home buyers often overlook flaws in the floor plan. When house-hunting, it pays to take a moment to look objectively at the floor plan to reveal common problems that may exist. Read on to learn how to spot flaws in a floor plan.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Seek out floor plans with an unobstructed path between the kitchen and the front door, or a service entrance to the kitchen that is close to the driveway or garage. Count steps from the unloading point of groceries to the kitchen.
2. Make note of a front door with a window to identify a visitor. Consider security issues such as an obscured entry, overgrown shrubbery or poor exterior lighting.
3. Imagine furniture placement in each room. Account for doors, windows and wall space. Watch out for floor plans that include an oversize picture window in the living room that sacrifices privacy.
4. Evaluate the flow of the floor plan and the location of the rooms based on use. Assess your needs and measure them against what the floor plan has to offer.
5. Beware of gas, electric or water meters that are located inside the house thus causing an inconvenience and a possible security concern. Investigate the cost of relocating meters to the outside.
6. Be on the lookout for electrical outlets and lights. Outdoor lighting on the deck or patio extends the living space and enjoyment to the outdoors. Check the wiring inside the house.
7. Look for a landing at the top of basement stairs, a door that closes off the stairwell and a light switch outside the door. Note the safety hazard of a basement door that opens directly onto the stairs without a landing.