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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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