Home inspectors will thoroughly examine the home, but here is a general list of what they look for. Find a licensed, professional home inspector here.
Siding: Look for dents or buckling
Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage
Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate
Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping, you may want to consider whether something like window installation in Denver or wherever you are is worth it for the home you are buying, instead of rejecting a home on old windows.
Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts
Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling awayPorch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot
Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room
Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation
Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating
Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors might also be needed to be taken into consideration. Also, as a side note, did you know that you could save on some money by buying bulk oil from companies like Bonded Oil Co. and others?
Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor-cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism
Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell
Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof
Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family
Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains