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Home Defects
No home is flawless, but certain physical problems can be more expensive than others.

Shifting foundations. Look for large cracks along the home's foundation.
Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate
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
Water leaks. Look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics.
Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall 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
Termites. Look for weakened or grooved wood, especially near ground level.
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
Drainage. Look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home of in the yard.
Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains

  Buying a Home
• Prepare to Buy
• Why Buy
• First Home
• Buyer's Checklist
• Neighborhoods
• Condo / Co-op
• Condo Board
• Common Mistakes
• Picking a Home
• R.E. Taxes
• Insurance
• Home Defects
• Inspecting
• Walk Through
• Closing
• Title
• Documents