Besides figuring out where your furniture will fit best and the cookouts you plan to have on the back patio, it is important to check for 5 key items when you are at a house for a showing. Having an idea of what needs replacement before finding out at your home inspection will help you to make the most educated offer possible and will also help you to get ahead of the planning/budgeting in advance. Here is a list of the top 5 big ticket items to check during a house showing. 1) Roof The first item to make note of is the roof. If the home has shingles, take a look at how the shingles are laid. Does the roof look like it has a lot of texture? If so, chances are that the roof is newer and has plenty of life left. Are the shingles really flat, with signs of cupping or just has overall signs of wear? That would mean the roof is getting close to the end of its lifespan and you should plan for replacement. ...