Yeah, thats one way of looking at it I guess. . . I always do pre-pre-pre inspections with my entourage of friends consisting of construction guru's, designers, and my best friend, the master electrician. Its just so hard when your wife gets so excited about something you both think is going to be awesome, and then something sets you back to start over..
I had two BADASS joints I was going to look at today, and I get up to check the address because I was going to do a drive-by before I hook up with my agent, and lo and behold, they are both gone.. one day after the tax credit deadline, and they are both sold out from under me.. I feel like the other 28 houses I have picked are just crap for 'filler'. . . Like, just the **** you look at so you can say you looked at all your options.. I won't lie, I just broke a 30" pipe wrench in the garage..
oh & edit: we don't really have termite/pest problems in colorado. However, I have seen a couple places with some GNARLY cooka-rachas..