A Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers

Most buyers know that home inspections are an important part of the buying process. But how do you know for sure that you have checked the home thoroughly? The main purpose of home inspection is to check for any defects that the home might contain. Even if you hire a home inspector, you should be aware of the essentials that are covered during the inspection.

To ensure that you cover each aspect of the home, divide the home into segments and examine each part carefully. Here are some pointers to guide you.

Structure and construction


· Does the structure strong seem strong? How does the foundation look?


· Is there any cracking, curling, decay or loosening of the siding.


· Are there vines on the surface walls?


· Is the paint peeling or flaking?


· Check the roof for any loose shingles, cracking or missing coping.


· How well do the gutters drain rainwater away from the house?



Garden and trees


· If there are trees close to the foundation, look for roots.


· Check if the lawn is cut and mowed properly.


· What kind of precautions has the owner taken for rodent and insect infestation?



Kitchen


· What kind of cooking appliances are used within the kitchen?


· Has the kitchen been updated recently?


· Are there GFCI outlets?


· Are ventilation systems clean?


· Signs of a leakage anywhere?



Bathroom


· Look for loose or broken tiles.


· Check around the bathtub for caulking issues.


· Is the tub moldy, cracked or damaged?


· Try all the faucets in the bathroom(s). How is the water pressure?



Balconies and decks


· Is the balcony child-friendly?


· Are the supporting beams in good condition?


· Are there indications of rot?



Make a list of the all things that you want to check in and outside the house. As a buyer, you should always attend your home inspection, so bring your list along and your inspector can address your concerns on site. You can even add a notes section to each section of the building, so you can write anything that comes to your mind.

Bring a copy of your sellers disclosure to the home inspection if possible. Some sellers will be very forthright with their systems maintenance, but if regular maintenance is not apparent, your agent can find out. Proper inspection ensures longevity of the home and assures the health of its occupants.

Once the home inspection is done to your satisfaction, you may want to hire your own contractors to get the repairs done. Get an estimate of the cost and you can work it out with the seller. In some cases, the seller will pay for the repairs. Caution: some repairs will need to be made before settlement, others can be handled through a seller credit and completed after the sale.

For more information, the American Society of Home Inspectors has a neat little "virtual home inspection" to educate buyers here.