Home Inspection Checklist For Buyers
Table Of Contents:
- What is a home inspection?
2.How to find an inspector?
3.Hiring A Home Inspector
4.Home Inspection Checklist: What To Look For
5.Home Inspection Day
6.Using a home inspection report
When it comes to buying a home, you don’t always get what you see.
Colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, granite worktops, glistening hardwood floors, and other seemingly little details can be found. What you can’t see are foundation fractures, old plumbing, unsafe wiring, malfunctioning appliances, and other flaws that a home inspector might discover.
- What Is A Home Inspection?
A home inspection allows you to hire an expert to walk through the house and write a report that details the property’s principal components, their current state, what requires an immediate repair, and what will require upkeep after you move in.
As a buyer, your home inspection report will reveal if the house has been well-maintained or if it needs major repairs. If you’re unhappy with the condition of the house, you can ask the seller to make repairs or offer you a credit toward the cost of repairs at closing. After you acquire a house, a report can help you prioritize repairs and renovations, as well as plan for upgrades.
As a buyer, having your home inspection checklist can help you maximize the value of your inspection report.
- How To Find An Inspector
Home inspector licensing standards differ from state to state. Inspectors must demonstrate experience, complete training, and pass an examination to become licensed in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Inspectors aren’t needed to be licensed in Georgia. An interactive map from the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), a trade group, shows detailed home inspection license requirements in these and additional states.
Several inspectors’ names will most likely be given to you by your real estate agent. You should also conduct your own research and seek recommendations from friends, family, coworkers, or future neighbors. Inquire about the inspectors’ references. Contact those individuals to inquire about their satisfaction with the inspector’s thoroughness and responsiveness.
- Hiring A Home Inspector
Request a sample report before hiring an inspector so you can examine what the inspector covers and evaluate their comments. Some reports are more than 100 pages and include images. Other reports mostly consist of checkboxes with short notes.
A longer report isn’t always better, but be mindful of reports that are unclear or imprecise. Inquire with the inspector about what is and is not covered by the inspection. If you have any specific issues regarding the property, make sure they are addressed during your inspection.
An inspection contingency in your home purchase contract should provide you a certain number of days to do an inspection. If homes in the region are selling quickly, you may only have a few days to sell. You can get a week or more if the local market is slow.
Choose an inspector early in the home-buying process so that you can have your inspection scheduled as soon as the seller accepts your offer. Good inspectors are in high demand, particularly in the spring when more houses are being sold.
According to Bankrate, the average home inspection costs between $350 and $600, depending on the home’s location and size. The average cost of an inspection in the Opendoor markets of Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, and Las Vegas is $450.
Additional inspections should be budgeted in case the inspector finds problems or mentions issues that require further investigation, such as asbestos, mold, or unpermitted modifications. The seller’s willingness to give you extra time to do additional inspections is negotiable. You have the option to inquire. The vendor has the option of saying yes or no.
- Home Inspection Checklist: What To Look For
After you’ve done your research and vetted your options, you must hire an expert home inspector who knows what to test for in each room. Understanding what the inspector is searching for, on the other hand, can facilitate your inquiries to determine the quantity of the damage. This checklist provides an in-depth take-a-look at what to see for during a home inspection.
Grounds and Exterior Structure
1.The foundation appears to be in decent shape, with no major flaws.
2.There are no signs of septic tank leakage.
3.With no standing water, drainage away from the house is essential.
4.There is no sagging on the exterior walls.
5.The frames of the windows and doors appear to be square.
6.The siding appears to be in good shape, with no cracks or damage.
7.The bricks look to be in good condition, with no cracks in the seams.
8.There are no flaws or stains in the paint.
9.There are no missing or damaged roof shingles.
10.Gutters are in good condition and drain adequately.
11.Chimneys appear to be in good condition.
12.The detached garage, shed, fence, and deck appears to be in good shape, with no rotten wood or termite damage.
Basement:
-There is no trace of dampness.
-There is no sign of water damage to the above-ground level.
-The sump pump is working well.
Attic:
-There is no trace of roof staining.
-There are no signs of corrosion or decay on the structure.
-Soffit vents and end louvers provide adequate ventilation.
-Insulation is enough and correctly installed.
-Splices in the electrical system are contained.
Bathrooms:
-The visible plumbing under the sink is in good shape with no signs of water damage.
-Water pressure is sufficient for both hot and cold water at all fixtures.
-The tub, shower, and sinks all drain quickly.
-The toilet flushes and fills as it should.
-There is no swaying or staining at the base of the toilet.
-There is no trace of leaking around the tub or shower’s base.
Kitchen:
-The visible plumbing under the sink is in good shape with no signs of water damage.
-The exhaust fan is turned on and vents to the outdoors.
-Garbage collection is in operation.
-The water supply to the sink is sufficient, and it drains adequately.
-Built-in appliances are in good working order.
Interior Rooms:
-There are no apparent stains, cracks, or damage on the floors, walls, or ceilings.
-When closed, doors open readily and latch properly.
-The lights and switches are in good working order.
-Each room has an adequate amount of power outlets.
-All rooms have heating and air conditioning vents.
-There are no cracks or stains on the fireplace.
-The flue of the fireplace has been cleaned and lined.
-Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational and appropriately installed.
-The treads and risers of the stairwell are made of solid wood.
Electrical Systems:
-The wiring is in good shape.
-The capacity of the service panel is normal when the cables are properly connected.
-Cables are kept safe and secure.
-There are no visible electrical splices.
Heating and Cooling Systems:
-There is no odor of gas.
-The air conditioning and heating systems are in good working order.
-The air filters are in good condition.
-There are no open seams in the flues, and they are slow to connect to the chimney.
-There is no obvious corrosion on the cooling unit.
Plumbing:
-There are no visible leaks or damage to the pipes.
-There are no traces of rust on the water heater.
-The water pressure is within acceptable limits.
-The temperature of the hot water should not surpass 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Home Inspection Day
Since your home inspector is the expert, there are things you can do because of the buyer to ensure a smooth transaction. We urge that house buyers attend their home inspection if at the least feasible in order that they will view the damage firsthand and ask questions. These real-time discussions with the inspector lead to more detailed information about your property than what’s contained within the inspection report.
Try not to get too caught up in the number of defects as you travel through the house, as many of them are minor. Instead, investigate the severity of the problems to see whether any deal-breakers would prevent you from closing the sale.
- Using a home inspection report
If the inspector uncovers more big faults or a longer list of minor issues than you anticipated, you may want to reconsider your choice to buy that house. If you have any concerns, speak with the inspector.
In most cases, inspectors will not estimate repair costs or the remaining usable life of appliances or other equipment. You may need to seek your repair and replacement quotations from local contractors and home improvement retailers if you’re concerned about specific items. There are times, particularly in hot markets, when sellers will only take non-contingent bids, which means the buyer agrees to buy without inspecting the property.
You don’t want any surprises when you’re buying a house. Surprising repairs lead to unexpected costs, which can quickly dampen your enthusiasm for your new house. You may reduce the likelihood of future repairs by hiring a certified home inspector and getting the information you need to make the best decision for your future.
Your home is one of the most significant and valuable investments you will ever make. Home inspections can help you make sure you’re getting a good deal.
If you are wanting to sell your home quickly for cash and would like more information, please contact JZ Home Buyers at 817-382-3579 or visit us at www.jzhomebuyers.com. We will be pleased to discuss how this could be the best option for you. We ensure that you will receive all of the information you require at no cost and with no obligation.