If you are buying a home, particularly a resale, you should always make a careful inspection of the house. There are a number of books to walk you through the inspection process or you may consider hiring a building inspector. Inspections should be done before you sign the agreement of purchase and sale, because once you have bought the house it is yours defects and all (with a few exceptions). The following is a list of some of the major items that require careful examination. exterior of house - roof, shingles, eaves troughs, siding, yard, windows
building structure - exterior walls, foundation walls
basement - look for open or large cracks, signs of moisture
energy efficiency - type of heating system and insulation, is attic adequately insulated and properly ventilated
floors - are they even? are there squeaks when you walk?
plumbing system - water pressure, taste water, check pipes and fixtures
heating system - turn on furnace, check that air is coming out of all vents
electrical system - is system grounded?
pests - dry rot, bugs and termites
is there an up to date survey?