Free Standing Walls?

Question

How can you tell when you look at a home that is for sale and you like it, but think you can change the rooms a bit by moving a couple of wall, how can one that is not a contractor tell. Getting a contractor in takes time, and extra money just to tell the basics.

Answer 1

Go into the attic. If the wall runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists it is probably load bearing.

If the wall is on the first floor and there is a wall above it on the second floor its a load bearing wall.