Remember that the home inspection is a tool for both buyers and sellers to ensure systems are working properly and to identify items that are in need of repair. Having your future home inspected in a fantastic way to know what you're getting yourself into. The following is a list of things your home inspector will check.
1. Foundations: Check for water seepage and look for cracks
2. Siding: Look for dents, buckling, and missing siding.
3. Exterior Brick: Look for missing or pulling away mortor, cracked bricks.
4. Roof: Look for age, pooling water,Conditions of flashing, loose or missing gutters/downspouts, and buckling, loose, or missing shingles,
5. Doors and Windows: Check for fit in frame, condition of weatherstripping, condition of locks, ensure functioning properly.
6. Septic Tanks: Adequate absorption for the percolation rate in your area and size of family.
7. Driveways/Sidewalks: Check for stains, crumbling, holes, cracks, and heaving pavement.
8. Attic: Check for water leaks, condition of rafters, and adequate ventiliation.
9. Garage: Check condition of door and ensure working properly, Check for condition of exterior, condition of floor (cracks, stains, etc.).
10. Basement: Musty smell, water seepage and leakage.
11. Ceilings, Walls, & Moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall pulling away, sagging.
12. Porch/Deck: Check for rot, loose or missing railings, condition of steps.
13. Electrical: Check condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets per room, condition and functioning of outlets, proper voltage, and proper installation.
14. Plumbing: Look for decreased water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots/corrosion that may indicate a leak, insulation, drainage.
15. Water Heater: Ensure adequate size, age, speed of recovery, energy rating.
16. Furnace/Air Conditioning: Check for age, energy rating, functioning properly.
17. Insulation: Check for condition, adequate rating for climate.
18. Appliances: (If Applicable) Check to ensure working properly.
Other inspections that may be performed are tests for mold, radon, lead, and septic and water inspections.
If problems are found, you do have options. You can request some or all of the items be repaired by the seller. You can also accept the home as it is (as long as it passes the inspection required by your lender). Your REALTOR will go over all of your options with you.
Questions about home inspections or want to find a qualified inspector? Give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you in any way I can.