Some houses just beg for an inspection, like this one outside of Spencerville. After a decade or so of neglect, the prior owner lost this 130-year old farm house to the bank. A young couple decided to take a chance on it, but wisely put in their offer conditions for not just one inspection, but four.

Fortunately for them, the house was structurally very sound. There were spots on the roof that suggested it might need replaced or at the least repaired. A couple of joists were rotted in the basement. On the whole, the floors had been remarkable even for a house of that age.

Even if your house seems solid, however, an inspection can help uncover those secrets the building is keeping from you.  A rotten joist won't stand out to everyone and can impact the structure of your home considerably.