Expert: Joe Turner - 3/19/2008

Question
My wife and I are looking to purchased a foreclosed house that has been winterized in the northern Chicago area.  The house is being sold "as is" and has close to 20 large cracks in the drywall tape lines.  All of the doors closed and open well and there are no signs of settling in the trim.  Do you think the drywall cracks are a result of the cold from the winterizing?  If the concrete/steel did shifting?   Thank you.

Answer
If the house is true - all walls are plumb with the ceilings and floors, the basic structure is probably OK. Perhaps the drywall was finished in haste to get a closing or I suppose the cold temperatures are the cause. I recommend that you have a bonded and insured, licensed expert take a look before you buy..