HEATING/FIREPLACE
Have the owner run the heat for you. Do not turn on a Heat Pump in the heat mode when the outside temperature is above 75OF outside. it may damage the unit. Look for soot, heat damage, rust, or physical damage to the equipment. Are there dangling or damaged controls or obvious amateur repairs? Is the system old or antiquated? With all air systems, check for damaged ducts and missing filters. oil fired systems usually have an underground tank that may leak with age. Are bricks in the fireplace loose or the mortar damaged? Soot up the face of the fireplace may indicate it doesn't draw well. Look for cracks in brickwork that might allow fire to escape. If there's a wood stove or insert, you won't be able to see inside the fireplace or flue. Have it checked before closing. Look for weather damage to the chimney.

ELECTRICAL
if the electricity is off, you should find out why and have it turned on to allow it and everything it operates to be inspected. Most people prefer breakers over fuses. There should be smoke detectors and Ground Fault Current Interrupters (GFCls). Look for exposed and antiquated wiring, and extensive use of extension cords. This indicates the house is under-wired.

INTERIOR
Don't just look at the interior as a wonderful place to live; look for the clues it can give about the rest of the house. Floors should be solid and sturdy. Unlevel floors and doors that stick, bind or drag may indicate the structure has moved or settled. Are there cracks around the windows? Look for wear, tear and abuse. Look at all stairs - are they sturdy and easy to walk? Do they have good rails?

PLUMBING
Much of the plumbing is concealed, but there are some areas you can check. if the water is off, do not turn it on. It may be off for a reason. Rock the toilets to see if they move. Loose toilets may leak at the wax ring. Turn on two or three faucets at the same time to see if the flow decreases. Does the water drain slowly? Water stains around fixtures or on ceilings may indicate active leaks.

SITE
Water should run away from the foundation in all directions. Most sites are not this perfect. Look for any part of the site sloping toward the foundation. Runoff from the site and the roof are the main causes of wet crawl spaces and basements.

ROOF
If the roof leaks, the house will be damaged. Look at it from the ground or out the windows. Walking the roof is dangerous and may damage the roofing. Asphalt shingles cupping or curling and missing shingles or slates tell you the roof is aging or damaged. Tar on the roof or flashings may mean poor workmanship on repairs. Rust on metal roofing or flashings is not good. Look for stained or rotted wood in the attic and stains on ceilings. These stains indicate either an active leak or one that possibly has been repaired.

EXTERIOR
As you examine the roof from the ground, check the exterior of the home also. Look for cracks in masonry and cracked, warped, or rotted wood siding. is there aging or failing paint? Is the hardboard siding bulging or delaminating? Look closely around decks, stoops, and doors for splash or rot damage. Have the stoops or steps shifted or settled? Are there missing, loose or damaged rails?

FOUNDATION/BASEMENT/STRUCTURE
if the crawl space or basement looks, smells or feels damp or wet, you need advice on how to dry it. Standing water is surely a sign of trouble. Cracks or obvious settlement in the foundation or basement wall should be referred to a Professional inspector or Engineer for evaluation. Rust or rot on basement columns indicates wetness. Look closely for rotted framing. As you check the exterior of the foundation, notice the fireplace or chimney. Is it leaning away from the house? It shouldn't be! Check for slab cracks.

INSULATION
Look to see that you have insulation in the attic and floors. You'll be surprised to find some houses have little or no insulation. Sometimes, it's blown or moved around in the attic, leaving holes. is it failing out or tattered and hanging down in the crawl space? This may be a clue the crawl space is wet.

WATER PROBLEMS
Water is your home's worst enemy. It does more damage to houses nationwide than fire, earthquakes and termites combined. Yet 95% of problems can be managed or significantly reduced with basic improvements to existing grading and drainage. Nearly all water comes from outside the house, and improvements should be made at the source. Talk to your inspector about reducing water problems. He may be able to point out logical, low budget techniques that will help.

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