* Siding: Look for dents or buckling
* Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage
* Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
* Insulation; Look for condition, adequate rating for climate (the higher the R value, the more effective the insulation is)
* 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, dry wall that is pulling away.
* Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
* Electrical: Look for condition of circuit breakers (make sure fuses have been upgraded), 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 and a separate inspection): 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.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.