| Before making an offer on a home, nearly all real | | | | Walls, Floors and Ceilings - All walls, floors and ceilings |
| estate experts recommend conducting extensive | | | | inside the home should be checked for the presence |
| inspections. Home inspections are designed to protect | | | | of water damage - usually present as mold or other |
| you from unexpected repairs and costs after | | | | stains - and signs of insects or pests. The areas near |
| move-in. If any problems are found during a pre-sale | | | | plumbing fixtures should be given extra attention to |
| inspection, the buyer can then negotiate with the | | | | check for mold and water damage, while gaps or |
| seller to have the issues resolved before closing or | | | | cracks in exterior walls should be checked for the |
| incorporate the cost of repairs into the offer. By | | | | presence of insects. Lastly, all wall and floor surfaces |
| assuring the buyer that they are purchasing the best | | | | - such as paint, plaster, wood floors, tile bathrooms |
| home for their money, home inspections are an | | | | and carpet - should be checked for overall condition. |
| invaluable resource in the home buying process. | | | | Appliances - Typically, home inspectors will run one |
| In most cases, home inspections analyze a number | | | | dishwasher cycle and check all functions of the oven |
| of factors both inside and outside the home. We | | | | and stove. If the home is being sold with a full set of |
| begin with the six most critical inspection concerns | | | | appliances, it is wise to check the working order of |
| for the exterior of the home. | | | | refrigerators, washers, dryers and microwaves. |
| Foundation - The most important thing to check for | | | | Electrical, Heating and Cooling Systems - These |
| in the foundation are cracks. If any cracks or | | | | inspections of the home's infrastructure are some of |
| irregularities are noticed in the foundation, a further | | | | the most telling assessments of a property's quality |
| inspection may be needed to check the integrity of | | | | and, by extension, value. An inspection of the |
| the construction. | | | | electrical system will typically test all outlets, light |
| Roof - When the roof is inspected, it must first be | | | | fixtures and circuit breakers. If it is an older home, an |
| determined if any leaks are present. If the roof is | | | | inspection should look for updated features such as |
| free of leaks, a proper inspection will then attempt to | | | | ground fault interrupt (GFI) outlets in the bathrooms |
| determine if the roof possesses any flaws that could | | | | and kitchen. When checking heating and cooling |
| cause leaks in the future. During inspection, it is also | | | | systems, inspectors typically test the furnace, |
| important to notice if any large trees hang over the | | | | monitor the response of the thermostat and assess |
| home. Wet leaves from such trees can sometimes | | | | the overall ventilation of the home. |
| cause serious problems for homeowners. | | | | Plumbing - The inspection of the plumbing system |
| Drainage - The most important thing to consider is | | | | begins with a check for leaks around all fixtures and |
| how the home is situated on the property. To ensure | | | | pipes. Next, both cold and hot water pressure should |
| adequate drainage and prevent flooding in the home, | | | | be tested by turning on multiple faucets. In the |
| the surrounding land should slope away from the | | | | bathrooms, the areas around each bathtub and |
| home and 6-8 inches of the concrete foundation | | | | shower should be inspected for water damage. |
| should be visible. Additionally, all gutters and drainage | | | | Lastly, try to ensure that the hot water heater is up |
| spouts should be angled away from the home. | | | | to code and functioning properly. |
| Windows and Doors - Besides looking for broken | | | | Basement - If the home has a basement, the most |
| glass, a check of the windows should cover many | | | | important thing to check for is the presence of |
| factors. Ideally, all windows should open and close | | | | water damage. An inspection of the basement is |
| properly with a good seal, be free of rot around the | | | | primarily an extension of the previously mentioned |
| window sills and have all screens intact. Similarly, all | | | | check for walls, floors and ceilings. |
| doors opening to the exterior should open and close | | | | Chimney and Fireplace - An inspection of the chimney |
| properly with a good seal to prevent extra heating | | | | and each fireplace will check for loose bricks and |
| and cooling costs. | | | | mortar, assess the overall stability and check for |
| Siding, Trim, Gutters and Paint - An inspection of the | | | | obstructions within the chimney. |
| exterior siding or paint should check for the presence | | | | Keep in mind, if an inspection uncovers a problem, |
| of bubbling or peeling. Also, all exterior fixtures that | | | | you should not necessarily be deterred from buying |
| do not impact the structural integrity - such as | | | | the home. More than anything, the inspection will help |
| ornamental trim and rain gutters - should be checked | | | | you determine the value of the home and prevent |
| for overall condition. | | | | you from overpaying or experiencing unwanted |
| Decks and Porches - If the home has a deck or | | | | repairs. Depending on what is uncovered during the |
| porch, the inspection will try to uncover the presence | | | | inspection, you may want to conduct an additional |
| of rot or insect damage. | | | | inspection of the problematic element or simply work |
| Now, we will look at six factors that should be | | | | with the seller to resolve the issue as part of your |
| thoroughly inspected within the interior of the home. | | | | offer. |