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Home Inspection Checklist - Home Inspectors
Although architectural details, wall and floor coverings, modern conveniences and many other factors are important in the buying decision, the focus of this inspection is on the structural/mechanical/electrical condition of the property. The inspection is designed to give the real estate agent or prospective purchaser a system to detect some of the readily accessible major flaws or deficiencies in the significant components and systems of a home. It is not designed to, nor does it profess to facilitate detection of all flaws, problems or occurrences that might exist in any given home. To maximize time efficiency and to ensure all of the major sections of the home are take into consideration, we have developed a systematized approach to the inspection. This is a simplified overview of systems that professional home inspectors use when they are inspecting a home. To assist you in following the system, we have provided a checklist that will guide you through your own inspection. THE INSPECTION SYSTEM THE BIG PICTURE The first step in inspecting a home is to examine the big picture for the home. Notice the area the home is located in. Are there other homes of similar age and construction details relative to the home you are inspecting? A comparison will give you a general idea of the upkeep of the home. Have there been significant modifications to the exterior of the building and if so, how is the workmanship? EXTERIOR Start at the exterior front of the house and work your way around the house (clockwise or counter-clockwise) at a distance which allows you to view a complete face comfortably. On each face (front, sides, rear) start your visual inspection at the top of the structure and work your way down to the ground and lot area. As an example, you would start at the front and note the roof and chimneys, the gutters, fascia and soffits. Then, moving down the exterior wall coverings (brick, wood, aluminum), noting windows, doors, etc. Examine any porches or decks down to the foundation, then the grade or slope of the lot area, followed by any coverings, such as flower beds, walkways, interlocking brick, driveways, etc. Move closer to the house, to examine more closely any details which may have attracted your attention, without skipping any items. Having completed the front, move to the side of the house and start the same procedure (roof to ground). INTERIOR On the interior, begin your inspection in the basement and then follow the system throughout each floor in the house. The system for inspecting the interior is to begin with the floor, go to the walls and then the ceiling, and then consider any appliances or other items in the room. Move from room to room, always in the same direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) so as to not miss any areas. If you see a door, open it! In the utility room in the basement, first notice the floor, the walls (possibly the foundation walls are visible here), then the ceiling (floor joists may be visible), then go to the furnace, hot water heater, electrical panel, plumbing system, etc. When inspecting the floors, walls and ceilings, scan the entire area that is visible, not just one section. In a finished room you would notice the floors, walls (including windows) and ceiling. Next look for the heat sources, electrical outlets and switches, fireplaces, closets etc. In bathroom or kitchen, notice the floor, walls and ceiling, then the plumbing fixtures. CONDITION While performing the inspection, whether at the exterior, the interior or one of the mechanical systems, note the system first, then its relative condition. For example, if you were inspecting a wall on the interior of the home you would first note that the wall is plaster, and then examine the wall for cracks and irregularities. PROBLEMS The following are some typical problems or occurrences to look for in the major components and systems of the home. ROOF Is the ridge (peak) showing a sag, or is it straight and level? Is the roof sagging between the rafters or trusses? Are there any signs of deterioration of asphalt shingles, such as curling, wasping, broken edges, rounded corners or key holes (slits) becoming wider that normal? Any loose flashings, at the chimney, roof-to-wall connection or elsewhere?Does the wooden roof deck appear rotten or delaminated under the last row of shingles? Are there any roof vents visible? CHIMNEYS Is the masonry cap cracked or broken?Are any bricks flaking or missing? Mortar missing?Is the chimney leaning? SOFFITS AND FASCIA Note whether the soffit and fascia are wood, aluminum or plasticAny loose or missing sections? If wood, are there any paint problems? Any visible rot? GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS Ensure gutters slope down toward downspoutsAny rust or peeling paint? Apparent leaks or loose/sagging sections? Are the downspouts extended away from the foundations? WALL COVERINGS Look for missing mortar Are the bricks flaking or cracking? Look for loose, missing or rotten siding, deteriorated paint. Does the siding appear new? Does it hide the foundation wall? Exterior walls bowed, bulged or leaning? WINDOWS AND DOORS Look for problems with paint or caulking, and rotted wood components.Are the windows new or older? Are they the original windows? How old are they? PORCHES AND DECKS Cracking or flaking masonry? Check for paint problems, rotted wood, and wood-earth contact. Note any settlement or separation from the house. Inspect the underside, if accessible. FOUNDATIONS Check for cracks, flaking or damaged masonry. Note any water markings and effluorescence (whitish, chalky substance)Any bowing, buldging or other irregularities? Soft mortar? LOT AREA Does the grade slope away from the house? Any settled/low areas next to the foundation, or cracked walks/driveway?Is the property lower than the street or neighboring properties? BASEMENT Note any evidence of water penetration (stains, mildew/odors, effluorescence, loose tiles etc.) FLOORS Check for deteriorated coverings or cracked ceramics.Any water staining or other damage?Sloping or sagging? WALLS Randomly sample to check that the windows and doors work.Are the walls straight vertically and horizontally?Look for cracked or loose plaster.Look for stains, physical damage or previous repair evidence.Any drywall seams or nails showing? CEILINGS Check for cracks in the plaster or loose, sagging plaster.Look for stains, mechanical damage or evidence of previous repair.Seams or nails showing? BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS Check that all fixtures are secure.Are there any cracks in the fixtures?Note the conditon of the tiles and caulking in the tub/shower area.Are the faucets working? Do they leak? Sufficient water pressure?Look for staining and rot under the counter-topsRandomly sample the operation of the cabinet doors and drawers. ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS Type, style and age of heating & cooling systems. When were they last inspected or serviced?Type of water supply piping and drains - any visible rust and corrosion? Size and age of electical service - are the outlets grounded? Visible wiring in good condtion?Have there been any upgrades? Vist our website for a printable Pre-Inspection Checklist Article submitted by the American Home Inspector Directory American Home Inspector Directory - Home Inspectors Nationwide
MORE RESOURCES: Refined Real Estate: Unique Leschi home with lake views lists for $1,395,000 seattlerefined.com Erie County real estate transactions Buffalo News Worcester County real estate transfers, Sunday, May 19 Worcester Telegram Real estate mogul cautions about avoidable mistake when buying a home, explains how to avoid 'drowning' Fox Business Portside Real Estate acquires Belgrade Lakes brokerage Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel Berks County real estate transactions for May 19 Reading Eagle The same, yet different – seniors and real estate in the Tri-Valley Pleasanton Weekly Slow April real estate market among Pueblo's top business news Pueblo Chieftain REAL ESTATE | A look inside The Lofts at Cedar Lake on the campus of Cedar Community washingtoncountyinsider.com Illinois real estate: Home sales in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford counties Peoria Journal Star Hawaii Real Estate Sales: March 11-15, 2024 Honolulu Star-Advertiser Luxury Homes Are Booming in These 10 Unexpected Cities in 2024 Norada Real Estate Investments REAL ESTATE | Check out Braund's Flooring & Remodeling LLC in West Bend, WI washingtoncountyinsider.com Massachusetts real estate transactions for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties May 19, 2024 edition MassLive.com Revised Mortgage Rate Predictions Signal HIGHER Rates in 2024 Norada Real Estate Investments Letter to editor: On recent misinformation regarding upcoming changes to the real estate industry Woodland Daily Democrat Wellesley resident Peter Covo joins Conn Kavanaugh as partner in firm's real estate practice The Swellesley Report Top 10 Brooklyn Listings: A Flatlands Standalone Brownstoner STAR resource center Department of Taxation and Finance Egypt boasts real estate portfolio valued at $200bn, ready for international export - Dailynewsegypt Daily News Egypt Increases in interest rates stress commercial real estate Richmond Times-Dispatch Private Advisor Group LLC Purchases 1425 Shares of Doubleline Commercial Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:DCMB) Defense World Celebrity Real Estate Realtor.com News Connecticut real estate law changed after MV Realty investigation Eyewitness News 3 Coloradans negotiating lower fees for real estate agents with new law on horizon Colorado Public Radio Amalgamated Bank Trims Stock Position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE:ARI) Defense World Robert Willett may be targeting female Realtors in Northeast Ohio Akron Beacon Journal Real estate transfers: May 17, 2024 RiverheadLOCAL Kenosha CubeSmart storage facility sold to new owner Kenosha News China Says It Will Start Buying Apartments as Housing Slump Worsens The New York Times Real Estate Mogul Grant Cardone Closes Largest All-Cash Multifamily Deal In South Florida This Year Yahoo Finance Mid-May Greenwich Real Estate Market Report Greenwich Sentinel Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE:ARI) Stock Position Reduced by Victory Capital Management Inc. Defense World $6 million home was Houston's top residential real estate sale of its week (PHOTOS) The Business Journals London Real Estate Is About to Get the ‘Selling Sunset’ Treatment Hollywood Reporter Real Estate Newsletter Articles this Week: Housing Starts Increased to 1.360 million Annual Rate in April Calculated Risk News anchor sells luxury Scottsdale home he built for $6M The Business Journals Billionaire Frank McCourt raises his hand to buy TikTok Business Insider What's real estate wellness? Fortune Dodge County Real Estate Transfers Fremont Tribune 10 most expensive homes sold in Cuyahoga Falls, May 6-12 cleveland.com China's real estate market sees surge in weekend consultations and trading, boosted by accommodative policy Global Times See all homes sold in Garfield Heights, May 6 to May 12 cleveland.com Ellison sues real estate broker Chad Banken over alleged schemes involving contracts for deed Star Tribune Home listings are on the rise in southern Colorado, while other indicators show a slowing real estate market Colorado Public Radio Busch relative settles squabble with Clayton investors over real estate trust St. Louis Post-Dispatch Southern fast-food chain Cook Out buys Tampa real estate Tampa Bay Business Journal MCB Real Estate Revives Long-Awaited Viva White Oak Mixed-Use Project Source of the Spring See all homes sold in Strongsville, May 6 to May 12 cleveland.com |
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