It is very common to find loose stones or stone ledges in this new style of siding. (Newer Home)

Exterior step crack. Call a professional to evaluate. (Serious issue) (Possible FHA Concern)

These steps cracks found on the exterior of brick homes are common and a normally not a structural issue.

Loose window ledges are a safety hazard and should be properly secured.

It is very common to find loose stones or stone ledges in this new style of siding. (Newer Home)

Exterior step crack. Call a professional to evaluate. (Serious issue) (Possible FHA Concern)

These steps cracks found on the exterior of brick homes are common and a normally not a structural issue.

Loose window ledges are a safety hazard and should be properly secured.

The bricks have separated 1″ in the center of the garage door opening. This garage door beam was undersized when installed. This is a serious issue and will need to be repaired. (Newer Home)

The brick on the side of this garage has had some serious movement. Their is no repairs that can be done, the brick should be removed and replaced. (Safety Hazard) (Possible FHA Concern)

The brick on the front of this garage is falling (very common) and will need to be removed and replaced.

The vegetation growth on the side of homes can destroy your siding/brick.

The brick has been stained from water leaks it is important to look on the inside of the the home for water leaks/stains. (Newer Home)

Every time you walk around the exterior of a home look very closely at the foundation. The foundation on this home as shifted approximately 2 inches or more. (Possible FHA Concern)

Always look close at the corner support post in a screened porch. This is a common area to find wood rot / rotted corner support post.

The glazing that holds this older window in place is falling out and should be replaced. This is very common.

Always look very close at the base of a exterior window or sliding door for wood rot.

Always look very closely at an exterior sliding door. It is very common to find a rotted door frame. (Possible FHA Concern)

Always look close at the corner support post in a screened porch. This is a common area to find wood rot / rotted corner support post.

The glazing that holds this older window in place is falling out and should be replaced. This is very common.

Always look very close at the base of a exterior window or sliding door for wood rot.

Always look very closely at an exterior sliding door. It is very common to find a rotted door frame. (Possible FHA Concern)

It always very important to check the base of a sliding door, it is common to find wood rot and it does not matter how old the house.

Wood rot is commonly found at the base of an exterior door. Always look very closely at the interior wall below the door.

The steel lintel that supports this window opening is rusted and should be replaced. (Possible FHA Concern)

Both these exterior windows have been heavily caulked at the top of the windows with clean silicone, this indicates past water leaks. When you see this look very close at the interior of the windows for water stains or current leaks. (Newer Home)

This exterior window has been heavily caulked by a homeowner that does not know how to caulk, (caution) look very close at the interior of the window, floor and in the lower level below the window if possible.

This nice new basement window was installed upside down.

This supporting beam has been nailed to the deck post, we just recommend that it also be lagged to the post.

This deck should not be cantilevered over the main support beam by over 2′.

This supporting beam has been nailed to the deck post, we just recommend that it also be lagged to the post.

This deck should not be cantilevered over the main support beam by over 2′.

Lag screws are needed in the main supporting beam.

If all possible always look under every deck you never know what type of construction you will find. The homeowner wanted a hot tub so they just added some concrete blocks for additional support

Always make sure the deck floor joist are touching the supporting beams. Not one of the floor joist are actually touching the supporting beam in this photo.

This is another photo of a new home where the deck builder missed nailing several of the deck nails into the supporting beam. (New Home)

Deck floor joist with joist hangers installed properly.

Deck Flashing that has been properly Installed.

Every one of these deck floor joists is missing a joist hanger. See photo above to explain joist hangers.

This is another photo of a deck ledger board that is not lagged to the house, we show this several times because it is so important that the deck is installed properly. (Safety Hazard)

Deck spindles/railings Properly Installed, 36 in in heights and the spindles are 3 1/2 in apart.

These deck stairs were properly installed using one outside stair stringer on each side, one in the center, also the base of the stair case having support post run into the ground.

Deck spindles/railings Properly Installed, 36 in in heights and the spindles are 3 1/2 in apart.

These deck stairs were properly installed using one outside stair stringer on each side, one in the center, also the base of the stair case having support post run into the ground.

These deck spindles should be no more than 3.5″ apart and 36″ in height for safety. (Possible FHA Concern)

These deck stairs should have a third stringer installed for proper support.

Missing railings on these deck stairs. (Safety hazard) (Possible FHA Concern) (Newer Home)

The deck steps have settled because they have not been supported into the ground properly.

Driveway cracking and settling.

Driveway or walkway settling can be a trip and fall safety hazard.

This is sometimes difficult to find but we did the inspection during the rain and found that the sand was washing out from under the driveway which will eventually cause major problems if this problem is not corrected. This was only a 5 year old home.

This is a brand new house and the concrete was poured incorrect and is slopped back toward the garage. (New Home)

The front porch has settled and moved the corner support post.

Rotted font porch pillar post, this is a very common area to find wood rot make sure you look at this area close. (Possible FHA Concern)

Concrete patio settled back toward the home, make sure to check the basement closely for water leaks.

The front porch has pulled away from the home. This can be repaired by mud Jacking. (Expensive to fix)

The front porch has settled and moved the corner support post.

Rotted font porch pillar post, this is a very common area to find wood rot make sure you look at this area close. (Possible FHA Concern)

Concrete patio settled back toward the home, make sure to check the basement closely for water leaks.

The front porch has pulled away from the home. This can be repaired by mud Jacking. (Expensive to fix)

This home is less than 2 years old and we found that all the front porch concrete pillar caps were not properly secured to the base. (Newer Home)

Concrete patio was poured incorrectly with a slope back toward the home. (Newer Home)

It is very important to look to see if the front porch has settled back toward the home, if it has there is a good chance a water leak has accrued in the basement.

The siding has been caulked where it meets the porch concrete. Caulking is generally there for a reason. Make sure you look close at the basement or crawl space area directly below this area for water stains or wood rot.

This center of this front porch over has dropped due to wood rot and will need to be repaired.

This front porch has had evidence of pulling away from the home by approx. 1/2 in, this one was not a structural concern but we do recommend that you use a concrete caulk to fill the gap where the house and the front porch come together.