Major Components of a Residential Property

Whether you're buying or selling a home, understanding how key systems function—and what condition they're in—can help you make smarter decisions, avoid surprises, and protect your investment. Here’s a breakdown of what matters most.

Roof
The roof is your home’s first line of defense. Watch for missing or curling shingles, signs of water pooling, interior stains, or poorly installed vents and flashing. Most shingle roofs last 15–25 years, but storm damage or lack of maintenance can accelerate wear.
Sellers should consider repairing visible damage, cleaning gutters, and offering a roof inspection report. Buyers should ask the age of the roof, check for insurance approval, and look for signs of prior storm damage.

HVAC System (Heating & Cooling)
A healthy HVAC system should offer consistent airflow, no odd noises, and clean vents. Units typically last 10–15 years, though heavy usage in hot climates may shorten that lifespan.
Sellers should service the unit, replace filters, and document maintenance. Buyers should ask for service records, check for hot or cold spots, and review the system’s efficiency.

Water Heater
Water heaters last 8–12 years for tank models and up to 20 years for tankless systems. Rust, leaks, or inconsistent hot water can signal issues.
Sellers can flush the tank, clean the exterior, and provide age documentation. Buyers should ask about recovery time, check for permit records, and confirm safety features.

Plumbing
Look for signs of leaks, water stains, poor pressure, or noisy pipes. Outdated materials like polybutylene or galvanized piping can affect insurability.
Sellers should fix leaks, re-caulk, and share any updates like re-piping. Buyers should ask about pipe materials, look for slow drains, and get a plumber’s opinion for older homes.

Electrical System
Key areas include the panel, outlets, switches, and visible wiring. Outdated panels or two-prong outlets are common red flags. Electrical panels can last 25–40 years, but homes may need updates to handle modern load demands.
Sellers should label panels, fix broken fixtures, and inspect for safety. Buyers should ask when the system was last updated and verify it supports today’s appliances and devices.

Structure & Foundation
Look for wall or ceiling cracks, sloping floors, sticking doors, and signs of moisture in crawlspaces. These may indicate foundation movement or water intrusion.
Sellers can patch small cosmetic issues and disclose any structural work. Buyers should examine inspection reports closely and consider bringing in a structural engineer if major concerns are noted.

Final Tips for Buyers and Sellers
Sellers should be transparent, organize records, and consider a pre-listing inspection to get ahead of issues. Buyers should focus on overall condition—not just age—ask about past insurance claims, and use inspection results to negotiate repairs or pricing.

Have Questions About Property Condition or Want Help Preparing to Buy or Sell?
Veronica Zerpa, Broker
Partners Real Estate Brokerage LLC
407.603.0088 | Veronica@JoinThePartners.com
Serving Central Florida with expert guidance and personal care every step of the way.