Hire a Professional Home Inspector
Hiring a professional home inspector can be one of the most important things you can do to make sure your home is in good condition. An independent authorized inspector can uncover defects with the house that could cost you a lot of money down the road.
If the home inspector finds a serious problem, like the roof needing to be replaced, you'll know up front and can negotiate with the seller for the cost of the repair or replacement. If you don't find out until after you own the house, the problem (and cost) are yours alone.
When getting a home professionally inspected, you may also want to think about testing for environmental hazards like lead paint, asbestos, and radon. Again, your real estate agent can be a good reference for a home inspector.
Older Homes
Older homes can be charming, but you should be aware of special issues with them so you're not surprised once you own the home. Foundation problems, overloaded electrical systems and lead paint are not unusual in many older homes.
