Older properties naturally tend to have more areas of concern due to years of wear and tear. The house inspector pays close attention to signs of decay like crumbling masonry, deteriorating roofs, antiquated electrical and inefficient energy performance. Historical construction materials like lead paint or asbestos may need special testing. With vintage buildings, code compliance often falls short. That said, newer homes demand an equally meticulous inspection to catch any substandard work or material defects. The age of the house essentially influences the specific areas of focus and types of potential issues the inspector is looking for.