1

House Size

Image: Esther Zheng

One of the very first things any prospective homeowner should ask themselves is what kind of house they want . Having a general idea of the size, as well as the amount and type of spaces needed, is considered basic information before starting to look for a property.

2

Roof Condition

Image: Andreas Weiland

For practical reasons, most people looking to buy a house don’t inspect the roof of a prospective home. However, that section of the house can present serious and costly problems if it has any kind of damage.

Asking about the condition of the roof is paramount. How old is it? What is it made of? Buyers can find this information on the seller’s disclosure or ask the real estate agent to find out. Asphalt shingle roofs last around 20 years, but other materials, like clay or metal, can last much longer.

3

Neighborhood Safety

Image: Alev Takil

It goes without saying: safety is a big thing. When searching for a home, make sure the neighborhood where a potential house is located is safe. It’s also highly advisable to check out the neighborhood from an insider’s perspective via social media, such as Facebook groups, where you can learn more about the area and ask locals questions.

If you’re truly interested in a particular home, spend some time in the neighborhood. Go for a walk and check out local businesses to get a feel for what it’s like to live in the area.

4

HVAC system

Image: Taylor Vick

The HVAC system heats and cools a house year-round. Anyone looking at houses should ask about the type of heating and cooling system each one has and, most importantly, how old it is. Asking for maintenance records is also a good idea.

Furnaces and AC units typically last anywhere from 10 to 25 years. If a unit is broken, repair costs vary based on the type of system and how big it is. Homeowners can spend an average of $7,000 to replace an existing HVAC unit—but don’t count on a home warranty to automatically cover that.

5

Property Taxes

Image: Recha Oktaviani

A commonly overlooked item for first-time homeowners when searching for a house is property taxes. When considering a potential home, always compare property tax amounts over several years to help you calculate the overall affordability of the property .

To find out a home's estimated property taxes, check with the county's appraisal board. Homeowners Association dues should be listed in the home's listing, or you can request them from the listing agent.

6

Plumbing

Image: PAN XIAOZHEN

The plumbing system in a house can be a mystery for a prospective buyer if they don't know how to inspect it properly. Pipe disintegration, obstructive tree root growth, and complicated clogs can all cause havoc on the system. Keep in mind that sewer line replacement can cost anywhere from $1,300 to $4,900.

Always check toilets for leaks, unstable bases, and discoloration . Look under the bathroom and kitchen sinks for signs of leaks. Turn on the hot water in the sink or tub to see if it gets hot. If it doesn’t, that could indicate a problem with the water heater.

7

Water damage and mold

Image: Hydra 4x

Water damage can cause numerous problems in a house, including structural issues, mold, and rot, especially in basements. Anyone inspecting a house should pay close attention to musty smells as well as water stains on floors, walls, or ceilings .

The cost of mold removal can be anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the size of the affected area. And, because mold is a health hazard, it should be treated before moving in.

8

Proper ventilation

Image: Jelleke Vanooteghem

This one might be subtle, but it’s very important, especially when considering the mold issues mentioned earlier. Without adequate interior ventilation, moisture can't evaporate , which can turn a room into a breeding ground for mold.

Look for condensation on windows or slightly bubbled or peeling paint around windows, doors, or vents. These signs may indicate moisture within the walls or ceiling drywall.

9

Noise Level

Image: Rei Kim

Nobody wants to live in a noisy home. But, at the same time, this issue is often overlooked when searching for houses. Many showings are cunningly scheduled during quiet hours to disguise the noise issues.

If you are truly interested in a property, visit during high-traffic hours to assess this concern . Even if the house is perfect in every other way, the constant hum of passing cars, public transport, or other sources of noise can become a serious problem.

10

Foundation and home exteriors

Image: Aiden Craver

Foundations matter. Bulging or bowing foundation walls are signs of structural weakness that can be expensive to repair. Always check for cracks in the foundation, drywall, or ceiling ; gaps above doors and windows ; sunken stairs or porches; and sloping or uneven floors or tiling.

Of course, not every crack means the home is about to collapse. Every home experiences some degree of settling, so some cracks are to be expected.

11

Electricity issues

Image: Mila Albrecht

The electrical system in a house can be compared to the nervous system of a human being: every part must work properly, and issues can sometimes be difficult to spot. From the power outlet next to the bed to other electrical systems in the house, like the garage door opener, everything is important and contributes to your safety and comfort. Bring a phone charger and plug it into random sockets to check if they work properly .

12

Room for improvement

Image: Daniel McCullough

Buying a house is a big investment and you can be living in it for a very long time. Therefore, it is always important to take into consideration any future plans and whether these plans make sense in that particular house.

Is there a wall you could knock out to create more space if needed? A garage or attic you could potentially finish if you need an extra room? Having an easy-to-modify layout can provide more possibilities for the future.

1

The Spam Museum

Image: Hannes Johnson

Spam, Spam, Spam! In Austin, Minnesota, you can walk into a playful, interactive, and nostalgic tribute to the iconic canned meat.

If you are interested, you can learn everything about Spam’s history, its production, and its cultural impact. Maybe we can understand why unwanted emails came to be called after it!

2

The International Banana Museum

Image: Aleksandar Pasaric

Would you be interested in walking around a banana museum? In Mecca, California, you can. A bright yellow wonderland dedicated to all things this fruit.

Banana phones, banana toys, and even banana-flavored candies are some of the gems you can find there. The museum's curator spent decades assembling this collection, the world’s largest assortment of banana-related items, according to Guinness World Records.

3

The Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia

Image: Jason Leung

Did you ever get a PEZ dispenser that you kept for years and years? That sort of nostalgia is what’s behind this museum in Burlingame, California.

You can take a trip down memory lane celebrating iconic PEZ dispensers that people loved. It includes vintage and interesting models, fun for collectors, enthusiasts, and PEZ fanatics.

4

The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum

Image: Tim Mossholder

Do you remember the cutest, funniest, or cleverest salt and pepper shakers you’ve ever seen? You may find a similar set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

This museum displays the incredible variety and artistry of salt and pepper shakers. Sets range from vintage to modern, made from materials like porcelain, wood, and metal.

5

The Neon Museum

Image: Ben Lambert

The Neon Museum is in Las Vegas. Where else? It preserves and displays the dazzling history of Sin City's neon signs.

The "Neon Boneyard" features iconic signs from closed casinos and businesses. It's a vibrant glimpse into the city's past and design aesthetic.

6

The Museum of Bad Art

Image: Melissa

The point of this museum in Somerville, Massachusetts, is to expose art that is "too bad to be ignored."

Sure, appreciating technically perfect and beautiful paintings is easy. But a far more interesting outing would be to walk around this museum smiling at pieces that look like painters’ bloopers! What is a bad painting, anyway?

7

The American Sign Museum

Image: Mikechie Esparagoza

Not for the sensitive ones; you might be overstimulated at the Sign Museum! Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this one traces the evolution of American signage and advertising culture , from hand-painted signs to electric displays.

8

The National Mustard Museum

Image: Simona Sergi

If you do not like mustard, you might want to steer clear of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. This is a flavorful exploration of the condiment, with thousands of international varieties.

Visitors can sample different mustards and learn about their origins. It’s the largest collection of mustards in the world!

9

The Houdini Museum

Image: Hugh Green

Yes, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, there is a museum dedicated to the life and illusions of the legendary Harry Houdini. Exhibits include his personal artifacts, magic props, and escape tools. If you are interested in the world of magic and illusion, this is a must-see!

10

American Oddities Museum

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Home to the bizarre: The museum celebrates the weird history of America, with exhibits on UFO sightings, haunted dolls, and outlandish inventions.

This might be a spooky kind of museum, but endlessly intriguing. It holds everything from skeletons of two-headed animals to eerie antique medical devices. Fans of the strange and unexplained will love the collection.

11

Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum

Image: Garrett johnson

Located in McLean, Illinois, this place is a paradise for retro game lovers. It’s packed with classic pinball and vintage video games from the golden era of gaming.

The collection spans decades, featuring everything from Pac-Man to rare, forgotten arcade cabinets. Unlike many museums, visitors can actually play the exhibits —so prepare to challenge friends and relive childhood memories!

12

The National Museum of Funeral History

Image: Suhyeon Choi

It’s not as sad as it seems, we promise. This museum in Houston, Texas, gives a respectful and informative look at funeral customs across cultures and time.

Its goal is to explore the universal human experience of death and mourning by looking at how several cultures deal with someone’s passing. Displays include hearses and ornate items from Egyptian mummification rituals to presidential funerals.

1

Construction costs that’d make your wallet faint

Image: Jaime Labra

Back in 1912, the Titanic cost $7.5 million to build, and if you're wondering what that’d be today, it’d be over $400 million. That’s more than some sports stadiums! It took nearly three years to complete and was one of the most extravagant ships ever made.

2

Yes, there were dogs

Image: Yuki Dog

As it turns out, the Titanic wasn’t just for people. At least 12 dogs came along for the ride , lounging in a special first-class kennel. There was even a dog show scheduled for the morning of April 15. Sadly, only three tiny dogs survived, all small enough to sneak onto lifeboats tucked in coats or handbags.

3

The band really did play on

Image: Parizan Studio

Wallace Hartley, the bandleader, went down in history, and with his violin! His group kept playing as chaos unfolded around them, trying to calm passengers with music, just like the movie portrays. He didn’t make it, but his violin was found intact and later sold at an auction for $1.7 million!

4

A pocket watch frozen in time

Image: Otto Hyytiälä

The violin was not the only treasure found. Sidney Sedunary was a young steward whose pocket watch stopped ticking at exactly 1:50 a.m. , just before the ship went under. He was last seen handing out lifejackets to third-class passengers. That same watch, rusted but intact, still tells his story.

5

A survivor with frostbitten legs and Olympic dreams

Image: Shep McAllister

Richard Norris Williams spent six hours in icy water, and doctors on the rescue ship wanted to amputate his legs. He refused . And you may think he was crazy to do so, but thank God he did! He went on to win a Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold medal. How crazy is that?

6

Finding the Titanic by accident

Image: Karl Callwood

In 1985, oceanographer Robert Ballard found the Titanic wreck. But that was just an accident ; he was actually sent by the Navy to look for two lost nuclear submarines and used the Titanic as a cover story.

7

Dishes still stacked neatly on the ocean floor

Image: Jannet Serhan

When explorers visited the Titanic wreck in 1986, they found plates still stacked like someone had just finished doing the dishes. Turns out, the wooden cabinet they were in rotted away , leaving the china perfectly arranged on the sea floor. It’s as eerie as fascinating, considering the many years that passed.

8

The ship is rusting away

Image: NOAA

And speaking of the amount of time the Titanic has been underwater, we have to say that nature is reclaiming the Titanic bit by bit. A newly discovered bacterium is literally eating the ship. Scientists estimate it could disappear completely in 20 to 30 years. The latest expeditions have already shown evidence that pieces that were previously there are gone. So… the clock's ticking.

9

No photos of the grand staircase?

Image: Maria Orlova

You’ve probably seen images of the Titanic’s beautiful grand staircase. We’re sorry to disappoint, but they’re not of the Titanic . They’re from her sister ship, the Olympic. No one thought to take a picture of the real deal before the maiden voyage. And they definitely didn’t think of doing it while it happened!

10

Milton Hershey almost boarded

Image: Janne Simoes

If the name rings a bell, that’s because it’s the same Hershey from the chocolate you love. The man behind Hershey’s chocolate bars almost booked a room on the Titanic . He even wrote a $300 deposit check (big money back then!). But business delayed him, and he skipped the trip. Who do we thank for that?

11

The baker who survived two hours in icy water

Image: Maxim Hopman

Here’s a fascinating fact: Charles Joughin, the Titanic’s chief baker, survived one of the worst parts of the sinking: the freezing Atlantic water. He was reportedly treading water for two hours before rescue. Wanna know how he made it? He had been sipping whiskey to face his fate, and the alcohol in his blood kept him warm enough to survive.

12

The last lunch menu went for a tasty sum

Image: Zoshua Colah

In 2015, a copy of Titanic’s last first-class lunch menu sold for $88,000 . That’s one pricey memento. The menu included grilled mutton chops, chicken à la Maryland, and corned ox tongue. Safe to say lunch on the Titanic wasn’t your average sandwich and chips.