If you are in the process of buying a new home, be sure to hire a licensed inspector, engineer and/or other qualified professional to assess the physical condition of the property. Although state law mandates that the seller provide you with disclosures regarding potential hazards or problems, you as the buyer are also legally responsible for investigating the condition of the property before purchase. Of course, you will want the services of a professional on your side. An expert will be able to spot problems that you might overlook, and he/she should also be knowledgeable about applicable building codes. A new home is typically the biggest investment of one’s life, so obtaining a thorough inspection simply makes sense. Would you ever consider investing as substantial a sum of money in any other purchase without first making a complete assessment of what you were buying?

Home inspections should include an examination of the structural elements, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical and mechanical systems, built-in appliances, and the presence of hazardous or toxic substances, including asbestos and lead-based paint. Following are some areas to which you should pay particular attention:

• The Roof: Make sure to get a determination regarding the condition and useful life of the roof, including all penetrations of the surface, such as chimneys and skylights, gutters, drains, etc. Although there may be no indication in the disclosures that the roof leaks, that is no guarantee that leaks will not develop with the next rain storm. Roofs do not last indefinitely. Exposed to the punishing effects of heat, cold and water, roofs of even the soundest construction will eventually leak.
  
  
• Heating System: Have your inspector check the condition of the heating system, particularly its internal parts and the ducts that distribute heat throughout the house.