It's possible to collect a tremendous amount of useful information before you conduct the consumer home inspection by sitting down with the sellers or occupants. Ask open;ended, leading questions. You may begin by asking the occupants these questions:

Are you aware of any termite damage or activity in your home?
Virtually all homes sold today require a termite inspection and certificate so a complete history of any damage, treatment or repair is important to know from the start.

Does your home have any existing or repaired structural problems, such as cracks in the basement floor, rotted floor joists or settlement cracks in the walls?

Do you ever have moisture in your basement?
A typical concern when buying a home is a wet basement or crawl space. It's important to learn about a wet basement early so that it can be repaired or you can negotiate the price of repair before you buy the home.

Have you seen any signs of a leaking roof?
If the roof has leaked in the past, it's important to determine whether repairs were made or a new roof was installed. If the home has an asphalt/fiberglass shingle roof, which normally lasts 15 to 18 years and the home is 17 years old, ask if the roof has been replaced recently. A professional home inspector can determine this for you.

Have you experienced any problems with the heating or air conditioning systems?
Find out the ages of the heating and cooling equipment and any problems the occupants may have had with the systems.

Have you tested your home for radon recently?
The risks from radon gas vary greatly in different parts of the country. Contact the local environmental protection agency to obtain information about the presence of radon in the area.

Is the electrical service satisfactory?
Find out the capacity of the electrical service and whether the occupants have had problems, such as fuses blowing frequently, circuits overloading, outlets not working or lights flickering when appliances are turned on.

What is the condition of the plumbing system?
Find out about the water pressure, whether the plumbing leaks, whether there's enough hot water, the age of the water heater and whether the system has been updated in any way.
Have you remodeled or made improvements to your home?
If improvements have been made to the home, inquire about the competence of the individual or company who provided the service. Check the credentials of the person who made the improvements, to make sure he or she is a licensed builder, owner or technician.

Was your home built before 1978?Before 1960?
Some homes built before 1978 and many homes built before 1960 contain lead-based paint. If the paint is chipping,peeling, cracking, flaking etc., and contains lead, it may be dangerous especially for children under age seven. You may wish to inquire specifically if the home contains lead paint or if it has ever been tested for lead paint.