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.
