The 30-Second Checks to Do at Every Showing

You don't need to be an inspector to catch a lot in the first few minutes of a showing. Here are the fast checks worth doing every time, each links to a full guide if you spot something.

The ten second check

What else is typical in a house this age?

You are reading the 30-second checks to do at every showing page. Type the year the house was built and I will tell you what else tends to be true at that age, what it costs, and what to ask. One number, ten seconds.

Free. No account. Educational and impartial, not a home inspection.

Read the water heater label

Find the tank and read the manufacture date. Past ~12 years, a water heater can leak any day. Look for rust at the base.

Open the electrical panel door

Check the brand, Federal Pacific, Stab-Lok, or Zinsco are worth flagging, and note the service size on the main breaker.

Glance at the pipes and outlets

Grey plastic pipe may be poly-B. Two-prong outlets mean no ground; kitchens and baths should have GFCI test/reset buttons.

Walk the outside

Watch which way the ground slopes, toward the house is a drainage problem, and eyeball the roof for curling shingles or moss.

Bring a fridge magnet

It sticks to galvanized steel but not lead, a two-second test on the service line and supply pipes. And use your ears while you walk: house noises that shouldn't be ignored decodes the bangs, gurgles and hums. Anything you spot on this list is worth running past the insurance pre-check before you remove conditions. New to buying? Start with the first-time home buyer guide.

Common questions

Isn't this the inspector's job?

An inspection comes later, on the home you commit to. These checks help you decide which homes are even worth that step, a smarter first look, not a home inspection.

What if the seller won't let me open the panel?

That's fine, note it and ask. Casaroo can also flag the panel brand and many of these signs straight from the listing photos.

Last reviewed 2026-07-02. This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property. Always consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access.

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