Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate
Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks,
condition of weatherstripping
Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles,
or loose gutters and downspouts
Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is
pulling away
Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of
outlets in each room
Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or
corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
Water Heater: Look
for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating
Furnace/Air
Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual
fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel
costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating
costs, such as electricity to operate motors.
Garage: Look for exterior
in good repair; condition of floor—cracks,
stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism
Basement: Look for water leakage,
musty smell
Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof
Septic Tanks
(if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation
rate in your area and the size of your family
Driveways/Sidewalks: Look
for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains
