Buyer’s Guide: Your Home Inspection Checklist

A home inspection is considered essential for any serious homebuyer because purchasing a home is an extremely significant investment. 

This detailed home inspection checklist will determine existing or latent problems with the property, thereby putting one in a position to make informed decisions, adjustments, and negotiations before finalizing the purchase. 

You can start by checking the exterior and interior aspects of the house along with the safety and legal considerations. Homebuyers can be more secure and satisfied with their purchase by getting a more comprehensive evaluation. 

Therefore, it is important to hire a professional home inspector for a detailed evaluation. A very careful home inspection will enable a buyer to minimize risks and hence make confident decisions over their investment.

Home Inspection Checklist

Looking at houses for sale can be pretty intimidating, but one must ensure a potential new home has no hidden problems and is stable. 

This detailed home inspection checklist identifies the most important places to check. Look at everything from how the outside walls are weathering or damaged to inside signs of bad wiring or plumbing.

You should hire a professional home inspector who will check each component of the home after researching and vetting your options. 

If you know what he/she is looking for, then you can ask informed questions that help you understand better the extent of damage.

Grounds And Exterior Structure

• The foundation appears in decent shape, with no visible fissures.
• There is no sign of septic tank leaks.
• Drainage away from the home; no standing water.
• Crawl areas are easily accessible for plumbing.
• Exterior walls appear straight, with no sagging.
• The windows and door frames appear square.
• The siding appears in fair shape, with no cracks or damage.
• Bricks look to be unbroken, with no cracks in joints.
• The paint is not flaking or discolored.
• Roof shingles are not missing or damaged.
• Gutters exhibit no deterioration and drain correctly.
• The chimneys appear straight and intact.
• The detached garage, shed, fence, and deck look to be in fair shape, with no rotten wood or evidence of termites. 

Basement

• There is no indication of dampness.
• No evidence of water damage to the floor.
• The sump pump works perfectly. 

Attic

• No evidence of staining from the roof.
• The structure displays no deterioration or decay.
• Proper ventilation via soffit vents and end louvers.
• Sufficient insulation and is installed correctly.
• Contains electrical splices 

Bathrooms

• The visible plumbing beneath the sink is in good condition and exhibits no evidence of water damage.
• All fixtures provide enough water pressure for both hot and cold water.
• The bathtub, shower, and sinks drain smoothly.
• The toilet flushes and fills adequately. It is stable and free of stains at the base.
• There is no sign of leaking around the base of the tub or shower 

Kitchen

• The visible plumbing beneath the sink is in good condition and exhibits no evidence of water damage.
• Working exhaust fan vents to the outside.
• Garbage disposal is active.
• The sink has appropriate water flow and drains effectively. 
• The built-in appliances all work properly.

Interior Rooms

• The floors, walls, and ceilings appear straight and level, with no noticeable stains, cracks, or damage.
• Doors open smoothly and properly latch when closed.
• Lights and switches work well.
• An adequate quantity of power outlets in each room.
• Heating and air conditioning vents in all rooms.
• The fireplace has no cracks or stains.
• The fireplace flue has been scrubbed and lined.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational, and the property
• Stair treads and risers are solid. 

Electrical Systems

• The wiring is in good condition.
• With suitably installed wires, the service panel has standard capacity.
• Cables are secure and protected.
• No exposed electrical splices. 

Heating And Cooling Systems

• No gas odor
• Air conditioning and heating work well, and filters are clean.
• Flues have no open seams and slow up to the chimney connector.
• The cooling unit has no obvious corrosion. 

Plumbing

• Visible pipes show no damage or evidence of leaking.
• The water heater exhibits no symptoms of corrosion.
• Water pressure falls within the acceptable range.
• The hot water temperature does not surpass 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Home Inspection Tips For Buyers

Here are a few quick home inspection tips to remember when navigating the home inspection experience:

• Home inspectors are human beings and can make mistakes. 
• There is no generic one-size-fits-all template for an inspection because no two homes are alike.
• The above checklist can be used as a guide and a seller’s disclosure statement would ensure much more detailed analysis.
• Be especially careful with the major home systems such as foundation, electrical wiring, roof, plumbing, drainage, and HVAC.
• If you get the report back clean but still find problems after moving in, call an attorney. Your response will depend on the severity of the issue and the state you live in.
• If you’re planning on doing some renovations in the future, you will be liable for making any outdated areas of the home up to code as a part of the remodel.

Also Read: 15 Questions To Ask A Mortgage Lender

Final Thoughts

A report is given to you once the inspection of your home is completed, pointing out key features of the property and any issues that show up.

A good inspector will walk you through every detail of their findings, from significant damage to minor wear and tear because it is their job to note every flaw.

The report will likely list many issues, but you need not be concerned about every item on the list. An inspector can also help you separate the trivial matters from the hazardous ones.

No one would love to be surprised with extra expenses when buying a house. The primary reason for employing a qualified home inspector is to prevent major future repairs and obtain the information needed to make the right decision.

Print this home inspection checklist so you have it on hand during your home inspection. Ensure your home financing is settled, if you’re planning for an inspection.