(ARA) - More than 43 million Americans are expected to buy, sell or relocate their homes each year, and a professional home inspection is a major step on the path to purchasing that home.

A thorough inspection can identify problems or damage to the property prior to closing, allowing the buyer the opportunity to request that the owner make repairs, to renegotiate the selling price, or in some situations, to decline purchase of the home.

The first thing you need to do is hire an experienced, licensed home inspector to carefully inspect the home you have selected. The following list of items that should be carefully checked out can be found on a new Web site launched by The Home Depot, www.homedepotmoving.com:

* Appliances

Range cooktop

Oven

Refrigerator/freezer

Dishwasher

Compactor

Disposal

Washer/dryer

* Kitchen

Cabinets

Drawers

Countertops

Floor

Electric outlets

Lighting

* Bath(s)

Sink

Tub

Shower

Toilet(s)

Faucets

Floor

Tiled walls

Shower door

Medicine cabinet

Lighting

Ventilation

Window(s)

* Walls & Ceilings

Nail pops

Seams

Wallpaper

Water stains

Cracks

Settlement

Decay

Trim

Window locks

Interior doors

* Floors

Hardwood

Carpet

Vinyl

Tile

Surface finish

Condition

* Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Central HVAC system

Age, condition

Adequacy

Operating efficiency

Thermostats (#)

Individual room controls

Service history, vendor

Window air conditioners

* Electrical Systems

System adequacy

Outlets by room

Light switches

Door bells

Exhaust fan(s)

Exterior lighting

Intercom

* Home Exterior

Roof

Siding

Windows

Exterior shutters

Exterior doors

Steps, stairs

Railings

Porches

Deck(s)

Walks

Underground sprinkler

Lawn condition

Shrubs, trees

Drainage

Driveway

Garage door

Fireplace/chimney

* Plumbing

Water heater

Water pressure

Well/city water source

Septic/sewer

Septic system service

Septic system adequacy