• Exterior of doors and windows. Unless you are buying a lovingly restored Victorian or other historic house, you should be hoping to find newer, double-paned windows and all-weather doors throughout. If older windows and doors are present, plan on replacing them with modern units. Even damage-free older wooden windows without obvious problems (cracks, missing putty) are best replaced by modern models. Get estimates and budget accordingly — or negotiate for a lower purchase price.
• Roof. Stand away from the building and perform a visual inspection of the roof, looking for sagging (not straight) roof lines, metal flashing that has pulled away from the places where the roof meets building walls or chimneys and missing shingles. Also look at the overall condition of the surface; even from ground level, it is often possible to quickly assess whether a new roof will be needed or not. (A set of binoculars or field glasses can help with these visual checks.) Also: Inspect the roof from windows, exterior fire escapes, and other vantage points that offer you a close view. If you are interested in a building and have any doubts about the condition of the roof, calling in a professional roofer is a necessity, not an option, because the costs of replacing a roof can be quite high. (Note: In the section titled “In the Attic” below, you will continue your roof inspection from there.)
• Gutters and drainpipes. Are they new and in good condition? Are all drain pipes well secured to the exterior of the building and securely connected to each other? Are they free of leaves and debris? Remember that gutters and drainpipes, if damaged or poorly installed, can cause leaks inside a building. Remember the location of sagging gutters or broken drain pipes and check inside the building to see whether leaks from them have caused damage.
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