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.