The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers

The home inspection is one of many milestones in the house buying process, but few have as much influence. You could believe you know everything there is to know about a house by the time you submit an offer. However, a professional home inspection can offer home purchasers the much-needed assurance they require by providing insight into any potential issues before closing the home. Read on to discover more about house inspections and how to use our home inspection checklist to prepare for them.

What Exactly Is A Home Inspection?

A non-intrusive evaluation of a home’s designs and physical layout comprises a home inspection. If an inspection discovers problems, you can negotiate with the seller to lower the asking price or make repairs before closing. You may even cancel the deal if there are severe problems with the property and you cannot negotiate a price reduction or compromise with the seller.

 

An appraisal of a house is not the same as an inspection. An appraisal provides a value estimate for your property. Mortgage lenders use appraisals to confirm that the property is worth the loan amount. An appraiser examines the home’s general condition and neighborhood property values rather than specific features.

A home inspection is typically conducted following the seller’s acceptance of a buyer’s offer. After both parties have agreed to the purchase, the house goes into escrow. This process happens either before or during the appraisal.

 

 

 

What Buyers Should Know About the Home Inspection Process

Beyond what takes place on inspection day, there are additional steps to the house inspection procedure. You can do several things as the buyer to ensure you have the knowledge you need about the house you’re purchasing, both before and after the inspection.

The Home Inspection Provision

A real estate contract can include a contingency that states that the purchase is subject to the outcome of the home inspection. Depending on the inspection findings, this enables homebuyers to back out of the deal or negotiate repairs.

Suppose you want to include a home inspection contingency. In that case, you will be given a time limit to plan and complete the inspection and any necessary follow-up evaluations.

For example, suppose there is a plumbing problem, and the inspector suggests calling a plumber for a more thorough examination. In that case, the buyer must locate a plumber and obtain the information required to proceed with the sale or cancel it before the term expires. Buyers often have between one and two weeks to finish this process.

The ideal way to protect yourself against unexpected costs after move-in is to include a home inspection contingency that allows buyers to cancel the sale and receive their deposit back if the inspection report contains any deal-breaking issues.

 

Choosing a Home Inspector

Although selecting an inspector may seem complicated, most real estate brokers have connections with reputable house inspectors and can suggest one. You should confirm that the company only performs inspections, not repairs or renovations and that the individual is bonded and insured. This will make it less likely that they’ll try to pressure you into paying for expensive repairs so they can profit.

When you schedule an appointment, clarify all the items you want them to evaluate and ask them what the inspection entails and how long it takes. Discussing any extra inspections, you might require at this time is also appropriate, as is finding out if they can handle all of them. A price should also be agreed upon.

The Day of Inspection 

Even though your home inspector is a professional, there are things you, as the buyer, can do to ensure everything goes correctly. If possible, we advise homebuyers to be present for the inspection so they may personally witness the damage and ask questions. Real-time conversations like this give you more in-depth knowledge about your house than what is contained in the inspection report.

Try not to concentrate on the number of flaws while you inspect the house, as many of them require minor repairs. Instead, examine the seriousness of the problems to see whether any obstacles would preclude you from completing the sale.

 

Report of the Home Inspection

Following the home inspection, you’ll get a written report that details the main aspects of the house and lists any potential problems.

A qualified inspector will make an effort to explain the findings and their conclusions to you. This may include any wear or damage, no matter how slight, that was discovered inside the house. They are required by law to mention every error, so your report probably has a long list of problems. They will be able to tell you what might be dangerous or a warning sign, so this does not imply that anything should raise suspicion.

Requesting for Repairs/Discount

If the house inspection report reveals significant damage, you might be able to request the seller to pay for the repairs or bargain for a lower price.

Although you can’t count on the seller to correct every flaw in the house, you may use the information from the inspection report to show how much more you would need to spend on repairs. It’s wise to discuss the price of significant repairs. If it falls within the “normal wear and tear category,” the buyer will probably be liable.

You can also bargain for a lower sale price depending on the expense of the repairs if you feel comfortable covering the costs yourself.

 

Checklist for a home inspection

After completing research and vetting possibilities, you should be able to rely on a professional home inspector who knows what to examine for in each area of the home. However, knowing what the inspector is looking for might help you ask the right questions to determine the degree of the damage. This checklist thoroughly summarizes what to look for while inspecting a home.

Building Exterior And Grounds

• Without any noticeable flaws, the foundation appears to be in fine condition.
• No signs of septic tank leaks are seen.
• drainage from home with no water standing in it
• Crawl spaces that are simple to access for plumbing
• There doesn’t appear to be any drooping, and the outer walls are upright.
• The door and window frames seem to be square.
• The siding doesn’t seem to have any damage or cracks, and it looks nice.
• Bricks don’t appear broken, and the joints aren’t cracked.
• There are no stains or flaking paint.
• There are no destroyed or missing roof shingles.
• Gutters are in satisfactory condition and drain sufficiently.
• The chimneys look straight and undamaged.
• The detached garage, shed, fence, and deck all look to be in a fair condition without signs of termite damage or rotten wood.

Basement

• There is no sign of wetness
• No signs of water damage to the above-floor area
• The sump pump is functional.

Attic

• No signs of roof stains have been found.
• There is no degradation or damage to the structure.
• enough ventilation via end louvers and soffit vents
• Insulation is enough and correctly installed.
• Contains electrical splices

Bathrooms

• Visible plumbing beneath the sink is in good shape and does not appear to have any water damage.
• enough hot and cold water pressure at all fixtures
• The shower, sink, and bathtub drains quickly.
• The toilet is steady, with no swaying or stains at the base. The toilet flushes and fills appropriately.
• There is no indication of leakage at the tub or shower’s foundation.

 

Kitchen

• Visible plumbing beneath the sink is in good shape and does not appear to have any water damage.
• A functioning exhaust fan vents to the exterior
• Waste disposal is working.
• The sink has a sufficient water flow and drains correctly. Built-in appliances are functional.

Interior Rooms

• Straight and level floors, walls, and ceilings; no apparent stains, cracks, or damage
• Doors are simple to open and latch securely when closed.
• Switches and lights work well.
• Each room has a sufficient quantity of power outlets.
• Vents for heating and cooling are included in each room.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational and correctly placed.
• The risers and treads of the stairs are sturdy.

 

Electrical Systems

•  The wiring is in good condition
• When the cables are correctly connected, the service panel usually operates.
• Cables are contained and safeguarded
• No electrical splices are visible

 

Systems for heating and cooling

• No gas smell
• Well-functioning heating and cooling system Clean air filters
• Flues do not have exposed seams and move slowly toward the chimney connector.
• No corrosion can be seen on the cooling unit.

 

Plumbing

• Visible pipes are undamaged and show no signs of leaking.
• The water heater is not rusted.
• Water pressure is within normal limits.
• The temperature of the hot water is no higher than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

Seller’s Disclosure Statement vs. the Home Inspection Report

The condition of the seller’s home is noted in a home inspection report, which lists any issues discovered during the inspection that the buyer should be aware of, such as foundational or safety concerns. In contrast, a seller’s disclosure statement lists any relevant information that has not been revealed or any issues with the property that may not otherwise be apparent. This statement’s requirements may be governed by municipal, state, or federal laws.

In conclusion:

When purchasing a home, you don’t want any surprises. Unanticipated costs from repairs can quickly diminish the excitement of moving into a new home. Hiring a qualified home inspector may lessen the likelihood of future maintenance and gain the information you need to buy your perfect home. You can prepare for the house inspection by printing this checklist and having it nearby.