It’s unlikely that any house earns a perfect score, but a professional home inspector can help identify both minor and significant problems, such as:

• Grounds: Standing water, uneven walkways, trees too close or branches touching the house, an outdated fuse box
• Structure: Uneven floors, poorly squared-off door and window frames, cracked foundation, sagging overhang
• Exterior: Earth-to-siding contact; cracked stucco; curling, decaying or missing siding; flaking or blistering paint
• Roof: Damaged or missing shingles; molded, rotting, decayed, curling or patched roof; closed or dirty vents; missing downspouts; clogged gutters
• Attic: Unsealed electrical splices, insufficient or poorly installed insulation and vents
• Windows, doors and trims: Damaged screens, broken glass, cracked door or window frames, poorly-caulked joints, lack of storm windows
• Interior: Water or insect damage; significant cracks, stains, curling or sponginess of linoleum or wallpaper; inadequate cooling, electrical, plumbing, or heating systems; non-working light switches or electrical outlets; improperly grounded outlets or circuit breakers; non-operating appliances; rusted, leaking or outdated pipes; poor water pressure

To read more from our Moving Guide, checkout our Home Inspection Tips, read What to Expect When Purchasing a Home, and review our Checklist for Closing vs. Prepaid Costs before you find the home of your dreams.