Water poses one of the biggest threats to maintaining a sound structure. Check outside to make sure the soil slopes away from the building; otherwise, when the rainy season hits, you may find yourself with an indoor lake. If the structure is built on a slope, check for a drainage culvert to divert water around the building.

If there is a basement, check for musty odours and other telltale signs of water damage. If the basement is unfinished, look for a white powder on the walls and along the floor. These are minerals, deposited by water as it evaporates, a sure sign of a leak.