Home Inspection Checklist

Nearly every potential homeowner has heard about the need for a home inspection. In fact, potential homeowners should have their eyes open throughout the house hunting process and should look for potential pitfalls before they hire a home inspector. Once a property is chosen, potential homeowners should make sure that the home meets all legal and safety requirements, and that the value is in line with the asking price. This is where a home inspector comes in. To make sure that they’re getting all of the information they need, potential homeowners should familiarize themselves with the home inspection process in advance of the inspector’s arrival.

If you have questions about a home inspection or any other home buying requirements, call 888-516-9990 or let us connect you with a licensed mortgage lender who can help.

One way to prepare for a home inspection is for potential homeowners to come prepared with their own home inspection checklist, outlining items that they are specifically interested in. This checklist can be used when looking at potential homes or used to help the homeowners compare their own observations with the home inspector’s evaluation. The inspector’s home inspection checklist typically does not cover mold and mildew or fungi, rodents, lead, radon, asbestos and similar chemical issues, though you may want to keep these things on your personal home inspection checklist. The inspector’s list does, however cover a range of standard observations, and potential homeowners should ask the following questions before signing on the dotted line.

For more advice on home inspections, call 888-516-9990 or connect with a mortgage lender who can help.

1. Is the structure of the home sound? This includes the construction of walls, floors, foundation, the roof and ceilings.
2. Has the exterior of the house been inspected? This includes looking at grading, elevation, drainage, fences, windows and trims, exterior lighting and landscaping.
3. Has the plumbing been inspected? This includes identifying the pipe materials that have been used and looking at toilets, showers, sinks, faucets, etc. It does not include an inspection of the sewage.
4. Have all systems been inspected? These include the chimney and fireplaces, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning units and the like.
5. Have the roof and attic been inspected to see the roof construction, flashing and gutters, framing, ventilation and construction been built properly?
6. Has the electrical work in the home been evaluated? This includes knowing what type of wiring a home has, looking at the grounding, looking at ceiling fans and light fixtures and evaluating the main panel.
7. Have the appliances been inspected? These include writing down and inspecting the condition of dishwashers and ranges, built-in microwaves and garbage disposals, smoke detectors and any other relevant small appliances that may be left in the home.

Obviously, the potential homeowners, and the paid inspector, should look closely at every area of the home, including the basement, laundry area, outdoor patios balconies and chimneys, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms and family space. Before spending hard earned money on a professional inspection, most potential homeowners can rule out certain homes with their own inspections. This is always recommended and can help people to narrow down their property search – and to save money by not spending on home inspections that they could have predicted would end poorly.

To find out which, if any, home inspections are required for your loan, call 888-516-9990.