Look underneath the lid or inside the top section of the toilets in the home you're inspecting. The manufacturer stamps the date the fixture was made in these locations. That date can give you a rough indication of the age of the home, as well as its appliances and other equipment.
Any offer you make should always be conditional on a satisfactory home inspection. The identification or discovery of serious defects should allow you to renegotiate your offer or withdraw it altogether.
Your safest route is to hire a professional inspector to conduct your home inspections. He or she will have the training and experience to do a complete and thorough job for you.
Explore the following links for tips on getting the most value out of your home inspection: