You are looking for issues with the foundation and any other exterior anomalies like giant trees that could be in the sewer line or pressing against the foundation of the house, evidence of buried tanks, where the septic and leach field is, etc.There are plenty more things to focus on as well, but these four are often neglected by newer out-of-state investors relying on an agent or friend as their boots.What else did I miss?

The next slab foundation I have that needs new flooring I plan on doing concrete staining.  

If you have a strong foundation with capital aside it's easier to stomach.

@Karan SinghTo build a solid real estate foundation, prioritize wise time management, early pre-approval, early credit building, real estate partnerships, income diversification, networking, and learning from books and podcasts.

And as investors we should know this, but always anticipate higher costs and longer waits.EXAMPLE Breakdown of Costs:Plan Purchase: $1,500Permitting Fees: $2,500-7,500Site Preparation (grading, utilities, foundation): $20,000–$30,000ADUs require separate utility connections for water, electricity, and sewer but you can tap into existing utilities at the primary houseIn Raleigh you CANNOT split lots fee simple, so setting up completely separate utilities would not allow you to section off the ADU as of nowYour ADU must be on a permanent foundation (no wheels, no ability to move the structure)Construction (labor and materials): $100,000–$150,000Low-grade: $150–$180/sq ft averageMid-grade: $180–$220/sq ft averageHigh-end: $220–$250/sq ft averageLandscaping/Finishing Touches: $5,000Total Estimated Cost: $125,000–$200,000You could easily spend $200k+ with super end high finishes, custom designs, complicated sitework, adding a second story or more sqft, etc.

It's a great starter book for the financial foundations of real estate investing: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/set-for-life-revise...I would also recommend Small and Mighty by Chad Carson: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/small-and-mighty-re...Real Estate Rookie: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/real-estate-rookieHouse Hacking: https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-house-hacking-s...

Starting later in life is no problem—real estate is a long game, and the key is building the right foundation.

By holding onto those properties, you'll be savoring the sweet taste of appreciation and cash flow, laying the foundations of a solid empire for generations to come.A long-term mindset is key to building lasting wealth in real estate.

Leveraging debt is our foundation as investors, but paying it down when we can will always open up more opportunities to get creative with out money later on. 

In my experience, NARPM designations provide a solid foundation and are a great starting point, though they are more basic.