No home is flawless, but certain physical problems can be expensive. Watch for: 

  • Water leaks. Look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics.
  • Shifting foundations. Look for large cracks along the home’s foundation.
  • Drainage. Look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home of in the yard.
  • Termites. Look for weakened or grooved wood, especially near ground level.
  • Worn roofs. Look for broken or missing copings and buckled shingles as well as water spots on ceilings.
  • Inadequate wiring. Look for antiquated fuse boxes, extension cords (indicating insufficient outlets), and outlets without a place to plug in the grounding prong.
  • Plumbing problems: Very low water pressure, banging in pipes 

Portions adapted from Real Estate Checklists and Systems and used with permission. (www.realestatechecklists.com) 

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

Courtesy of Metro Realty, REALTOR®