The “Big 5" Systems You Can’t Afford to Overlook When Buying a Rental
September 9, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readThe Five Systems That Can Sink a Rental Deal
Henry Washington has bought and rehabbed more than a hundred homes, and he says there are five systems in a house that will cause the most financial pain if you have to fix or replace them after closing: the roof, the foundation, the plumbing, the electrical, and the HVAC. His core argument is straightforward but easy to ignore in the heat of a deal: these expenses are coming no matter what. The question is whether you account for them in your offer or eat the cost later. "If these expenses are coming up sooner than later," he says, "I want you to not be scared of the project, but be able to adjust what you're offering for the home to cover that expense."
Reading the Roof and What Lies Beneath
Roofs come in three main varieties, and the difference is mostly about lifespan. A three-tab shingle roof lasts 15 to 20 years but is an older style that Washington recommends against installing even on a flip. Architectural shingles are the standard and run 25 to 30 years. Metal roofs can last 40 to 70 years but cost two to three times as much. For estimating, Washington says an architectural shingle roof on an average home runs $8,000 to $17,000 depending on size.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **The "Big Five" Introduction** - Henry Washington introduces the five systems that can make or break a rental property investment.
- 2 (02:28) **Roof Evaluation: Types, Lifespan, and Visual Inspection** - How to identify roof type, estimate remaining life, and spot damage.
- 3 (08:34) **Windows: The "1.5" System** - Why windows are a critical exterior item to evaluate alongside the roof.
- 4 (14:26) **Foundations: Visual Cues and the Critical Rule** - How to spot foundation problems and why you should never estimate the cost yourself.
- 5 (21:33) **Plumbing: Indoor and Outdoor Signs of Trouble** - What to check inside and outside the home to spot plumbing issues before they become expensive.
- 6 (34:14) **Electrical Systems: Panel, Outlets, and Safety** - How to evaluate the age and safety of a home's electrical system.
- 7 (39:20) **HVAC: Evaluating the Heating and Cooling System** - The key factors in assessing an HVAC system, including the critical question of existing ductwork.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
A real estate deal may look like a home run on paper, but you can’t know for certain until you’ve walked the property and uncovered exactly what needs to be fixed!
Budgeting for renovations is one of the things that trips new investors up, which is why we’re bringing you a two-part series on estimating rehab costs. In part one, we’re taking a deep dive into the “big five”—the five major home systems that can make or break your next investment. We’re covering everything from roof to foundation, and even a bonus sixth system that’s much more costly to replace than you probably think.
These are the line items that strike fear into investors due to their potentially high price tags. But rather than passing on a great deal, you’ll learn exactly what to look for when inspecting these systems, how much it costs to repair or replace them, and when to bring in an expert.
Whether you’re flipping houses or making improvements to raise rents, these are the tips and tricks you need to accurately create your budget, avoid expensive surprises, and ensure you’re buying a great property—not a money pit!
In This Episode We Cover
The “big five” systems to check (thoroughly) when walking a property
How to spot when a roof has “failed” and needs to be replaced
Two telltale signs that you should replace a home’s windows
The number one mistake investors make when estimating foundation repairs
How much it actually costs to fully replumb your property
Dangerous electrical issues that require immediate attention
And So Much More!
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