Support Beam splitting

[Alberto Diaz]

I’m considering making an offer on a townhouse that has a support beam that is splitting. The house was built in 1970 and there are no sign of sagging floors. Is this something I should be concerned about? Thanks in advance. 

[Jerry Simon]

You should have zero concerns about that.

[Mike Lamb]

It's called a "check" and most large pieces lumber will develop it as it dries out. It's not a structural concern. If the crack continues through to the other side of the lumber it is a split, and that can be a structural problem. The pictures look like a typical check.

[Jim Katen]

Not a concern.