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 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.

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