Call a professional inspector

before making an offer on a building with these problems.

• A roof that is visibly sagging or sloping

• A roof that is structured so you cannot evaluate its age and   condition

• Cracks in foundations and/or walls

• Evidence of flooding or water in the basement

• Extra electrical breaker boxes or other “add-on” features that show the electrical system has been expanded

• Renovations or alterations for which the seller is unable to pro­vide permits

• Spongy or sloping floors

• Water leaks whose sources you cannot access, such as pipes behind walls or in crawl spaces

• Windows or doors that are not square or level