Home Inspection and Checklist | What to Look Out For

As a rule, you should never move into a new home without a thorough home inspection and checklist containing all you need to modify in the home.

An inspection and checklist are as critical to a new home as a baby learning to walk. It has to be given time and proper attention because you do not want to get into a home that does not suit your uniqueness.

A wide range of emotions is experienced while purchasing a new house. After spending months working with an agent to find the ideal home, you’re worn out but delighted that you now have a home of your own. Then, you make a down payment with anxiety to check your savings account.

Don’t worry; this emotional rollercoaster is very normal and will soon cease. When an inspection and checklist are all that remains, the most challenging stages have been completed.

We’ve developed an exhaustive home inspection and checklist to allay your concerns and assist you in moving into the house of your dreams because we know how difficult an inspection process can be.

Home Inspection Explained

A house inspection is a check for any potential problems on a recently bought property.

A qualified inspector normally handles the procedure and provides a thorough status report on the house.

Before the closing process is complete, a house inspection is meant to identify any issues. This gives the buyer and seller the opportunity to renegotiate or, if required, end the deal.

A house inspection is really one of the finest protection for homebuyers, despite the fact that it may sound terrifying. This is because home inspections frequently disclose no surprises at all. However, if they do, purchasers can talk to the sellers about a potential solution.

The final walkthrough provides an opportunity to review any fixes that were made.

Even if you have a fantastic feeling about the property, you must certainly undergo a home inspection.

The procedure of a house inspection can shield you, your money, and your future, from potential shocks.

The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist 2023

If the inspector is a professional, they need to be aware of what to look for. Investors must, however, be able to recognize essential inspection components.

One will be able to assess their own property more easily the more they are aware of the procedure.

Therefore, we want to state that a house inspection and checklist should include the following six categories:

• Foundation

• Structure

• Exterior

• Interior

• Plumbing and HVAC

• Electrical

Home Inspection and Checklist: Foundation, Structure, and Exterior

The foundation and structure should be the first item on your house inspection checklist.

Before you meet with your inspector, consider the following inquiries to make sure your property is up to your preferred quality:

• Is the foundation that can be seen in decent shape?

• At the base of the walls and ceiling, are there any fractures or shifting in the foundation?

• Is water being properly drained away from the house?

• Are there any places of the landscape that are obviously wet?

• Is there any proof of standing water?

• Check if the septic tank is intact and not leaking.

• Is there any proof of rotten timber or termite damage?

• Are the door and window frames straight or curved?

• Does the stucco have any noticeable cracks?

• Has the external paint started to fade, peel, or be stained?

• Does it appear that the house will require repairs soon?

• Is the roof deteriorating?

• Has the roof been repaired in the past?

• Is the chimney in decent shape?

• Do the gutters drain properly?

• Is the siding rotten, loose, broken, or otherwise damaged?

Home Inspection and Checklist: Interior

The interior is given greater care when constructing a house, hence one would think it is in fine shape.

However, you need to add these questions to your home inspection and checklist for the best home experience:

• Are there any odd smells emanating from the house?

• Do any appliances come with the house when you buy them? (For example, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a washer, etc.)

• Is there proof that the insulation is adequate?

• Have the outlets been checked for functionality?

• Is the flooring stained or otherwise damaged?

• Do any floors require replacement?

• Is there a sufficient number of outlets in each room?

• Are the windows and doors functional?

• Are the window frame joints caulked?

• Exists a leak in or around a sink?

• Is there enough water pressure?

• Is there enough airflow across the entire house?

• Do restrooms function properly?

• Can you quickly locate the necessary carbon monoxide and smoke detectors?

• Are there stains on the attic’s underside of the roof?

• Is there enough ventilation and insulation in the attic?

• In the attic, are there any exposed electrical connections?

Home Inspection and Checklist: Plumbing & HVAC

Most first-time homebuyers (or even seasoned homeowners) aren’t familiar with how HVAC and plumbing systems operate.

To assist you to navigate these somewhat unknown aspects of a home inspection, below are the following items on your plumbing and HVAC inspection checklist:

• Are the pipes dripping?

• Are the pipes corroded or broken?

• Does the water pump function properly?

• Can you tell if the hot water is hotter than 125 degrees Fahrenheit?

• Do pipes impede the flow of water?

• Does the airflow in the house reach every room sufficiently?

• Does the cooling system seem to be rusted?

• Have the cooling system’s air filters lately been changed?

• Has asbestos ever been found in heating pipes, water pipes, or air ducts?

• Do you detect any gas?

Electrical

Another essential item on a home inspection checklist is the property’s electrical systems.

Make sure you are covered when meeting with an inspector by using the list below.

• Do any exposed splices exist?

• Are cables contained and safeguarded?

• Do you know where the service panel is?

• Overheating fuses or breakers

Who Pays for a Home Inspection?

Typically, a professional house inspection is covered by the buyer.

Some people, however, demand that the seller pays after making an offer. So, that is a subject for discussion.

Before listing their houses for sale, some sellers do their own home inspections. That may comfort prospective buyers.

Additionally, it may provide the owner with an opportunity to address problems before the property is put up for sale.

But not every buyer is prepared to accept a report that the seller paid for.

In actuality, professionals advise that purchasers select their own inspection, one that has no connections to either the seller or the seller’s Realtor.

How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?

We often disclose national average home inspection prices.

A house inspection is estimated to cost $340 on average, although prices can vary from $280 to $401 based on where you reside and the size of the house.

Should Sellers Make Repairs Before the Inspection?

When selling a house, a home inspection checklist may be a useful tool. You can resolve small concerns beforehand if you know what an inspector will be searching for.

Of course, no one anticipates perfection. An imperfection-free home inspection report is quite uncommon.

Additionally, it’s possible that you’ve previously settled certain recognized difficulties through negotiation, and the pricing reflects that.

On the other hand, cherry-picking minor issues that are quick, simple, and affordable to repair can significantly reduce the number of faults a report identifies.

How to Get a Better Home Inspection Report

The moment is not right to complete pricey projects. But you ought to take advantage of any opportunities for rapid gains.

After all, your buyer will probably attempt to use any negative remarks in the inspection report to negotiate a lower price. Perhaps even a few dollars are saved.

Next Steps After a Home Inspection

The house buying process should proceed as scheduled if the report from the home inspection revealed only minor and expected issues.

You might decide to provide a list of minor items to be fixed to the seller or the seller’s Realtor.

Your list of things to do after moving in will be less if you ask the owner to fix a leaky faucet, replace a missing doorstop, or reattach a downspout.

You might wish to do your own walk-through inspection after these repairs are finished to ensure that every issue on your list was corrected.

Addressing Serious Issues With Home Inspection

If your home inspector uncovers safety or structural issues, you’ll have a more important decision to make: Should you still buy the home?

If you do want to move forward, you’ll need:

• Additional inspections: Home inspectors are not necessarily specialists on any one aspect of home construction. A specialist such as a structural engineer should assess the condition of the home to determine what work and the cost of fixing.

• Negotiating: You’ll need to request repairs as a condition of buying the home. The seller may agree to lower the price if you’ll still buy the home in its current state.

Conclusion

Regardless if you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned homeowner, a professional home inspection is typically a good practice.

Home inspection and checklist have to be part of your plans for getting into the new home as this practice can save you a “housetime” of stress.