Your home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. If you're in the market for a new home, you want to avoid purchasing a money pit – a home that's going to suck every last dime out of your budget. It's impossible to identify every possible problem with a home before you purchase it. However, having a home inspected prior to purchase will help identify the larger problems that might be looming. Before you sign a contract to purchase a home, make sure you have it inspected. Here are three areas you should have your inspector sign off on before you agree to purchase your next home.

Condition of the Roof

Before you purchase a home, you should have an inspector determine the condition of the roof. The roof is a home's first line of defense against water damage. If the roof has been leaking, you could be looking at extensive damage beneath the surface of the roofing material. Your home inspection will be able to determine if the roof should be replaced prior to purchase. The inspection will also identify any water damage that the house as sustained as a result of a leaky roof.

Stability of the Foundation

A home is only as secure as its foundation. Before you purchase a home, make sure the foundation is stable. This is particularly important if you live in earthquake country. Even minor earthquakes can cause cracks in the foundation. Have your home inspector determine the stability of the home's foundation. It's important to note that you can look for signs of foundation damage while you're walking through properties. If the doors stick, or you see hairline cracks around the door jambs, the home could have foundation damage.

Flood Dangers

Not all homeowners are going to tell you about flood dangers, especially if they're in a hurry to sell their home. Ask your home inspector to identify any flood dangers around the home. The inspection will be able to identify previous flood damage, or determine whether the home sits on a flood plain. If the home has sustained previous flood damage, there could be mold hiding in the house. Be sure to have the inspector search for potential mold problems, as well.

Now that you're in the market for a new home, know what you're buying before you sign a contract. A home inspection will identify potential problems before you're locked into a contract.