Next time you go house hunting, don't forget the binoculars.

That's one of the top home-buying tips offered by the guru of home remodeling, Bob Vila, who has built a reputation for home makeovers while on television for 25 years.

He recently offered tips that are "especially good reminders for first-time homeowners."

That's where the binoculars come in. "The first thing I tell people is to stand back and take a good hard look from across the street," he said. "Binoculars are a wonderful aid to getting a closer look at the skin of the house, especially the roof. You'll be able to see curled or discolored shingles and shingles that are losing their granular surface."

You also should look to see if "the metal flashing is loose or the gutters are sagging," he said.

Vila said new houses have problems, too. "In a lot of markets around the country, there's been a building boom, and some construction has been done in a hurry," he said. "So it makes sense for a buyer to take a long look.

What's most important? "Take the time to poke your head into the attic or crawl space and check out the HVAC equipment. In a 9- or 10-year-old house, you might be looking at the end of the system's life, and you might consider that as a negotiating point.

"A lot of buyers look at the condition of surfaces as a bargaining point, but I don't think it's something to dwell on. If the carpet needs to be replaced or the paint needs to be redone, you can look forward to personalizing that later."

In addition, "A lot of people move every five, six or seven years and don't have a sense of ongoing maintenance," Vila said. "It's an issue to check out."

Also check the exterior, Vila said. "Especially in hot climates, where houses have a big deck, make sure it's well-supported and that there are no signs of rot. You want to be sure it's going to hold up when a dozen people sit on it during an afternoon cookout."

Buyers can save by tackling some renovation projects themselves. "Painting the trim, washing the siding, tightening the loose gutter is easy," said Vila. "But I'd definitely stay away from life-threatening things like reroofing."

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Bob Vila's "Home Again"show can be seen at 6 a.m. Saturdays on WAGA-TV.