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If you’re in the market, you might think twice before buying a home with a cesspool on the property. You’ll need to factor in the costs of either maintaining the cesspool (such as with aeration, pumping, and cleaning) or dismantling the system and replacing it with a septic tank or sewage line connection. It might still be a good idea to buy that home, but you’ll need to decide for yourself if the costs and hassle are worth it.

There are many things to look for when buying a brick house. Here are some of the key things you should pay close attention to.

• Lintels: Look for cracks, holes, displacement, or corrosion

• Mortar: Check to see if the mortar is old and crumbling, in need of repointing, or new. Also check to see if the mortar has a professional finish.

• Walls: Check along each side of the house. If a wall is bowing outward, this indicates a severe issue such as foundation damage or that the walls are ready to fall.

• Cracks: If there are stair step cracks in the brickwork, this indicates an unstable foundation.

Yes, a seller is legally required to disclose any known fire damage when selling a house, including damages that were repaired. That includes damages to structural components and all major systems, as well as water damage, chemical damage, and smoke damage related to the fire. Sellers use a property disclosure statement, which is regulated by each state individually, to disclose fire damage.

You can test your ductwork by hiring a technician to attach a vacuum to the ductwork near the HVAC unit and put the vent system under pressure. Your pro can use a duct leak tester to measure the amount of pressure that's escaping. 

You can also do a DIY test using an incense stick or smoke pencil. With the HVAC system running, pass the stick or pencil across the ductwork. Pay attention to the movement of the smoke. When you notice it changing, it could be a sign there’s a leak or bad connection in the duct.