The detached home checklist: what to check before you offer

The roof

Ask how old the shingles are. Asphalt shingles usually last 15 to 25 years. Look for curling, missing or granule-bare shingles, and check the ceilings upstairs for water stains. A roof near the end of its life is a fair point to negotiate on.

Heating, cooling and water heater

Ask the age of the furnace, the air conditioner and the hot water tank, and whether any of them are rented. A rental contract carries a monthly payment that the buyer usually takes over, so find out the amount and the buyout cost before you offer.

Windows and doors

Original windows in an older home mean higher heating bills and a replacement bill later. Look for fogging between the panes, soft or rotting frames and drafts.

Electrical and plumbing

Check the size of the electrical panel (100 amp is the minimum most insurers like, 200 amp is common in newer and updated homes) and ask about knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum wiring in older houses. For plumbing, ask about galvanized or lead supply pipes and when the main drain was last scoped.

The basement

Look for efflorescence (white, chalky marks), fresh paint low on the walls, a musty smell or a dehumidifier running hard. All can point to water. Ask whether there is a sump pump and a backwater valve. If the basement is finished or has a second unit, ask for the permits.

The lot and the outside

• The lot size and frontage, and where the property lines are on the survey
• Grading: the ground should slope away from the house on every side
• Large trees close to the house, and any city-protected trees
• The driveway, the garage and how many cars fit
• Fences, sheds and pools, and whether they sit inside the lot line

Make it a condition

A home inspection condition gives you a few days to have a professional check all of this before your offer goes firm. In a competitive situation, a pre-offer inspection can do the same job. A detached home specialist will tell you which makes sense for the home you are looking at.