You’ve gotten pre-approved for a loan, gone house hunting, and found a home you love. Congratulations! But before you make an offer, you need to know exactly what you’re getting into.
You’ll get a professional inspection once you’re locked in, but until then, here’s a handy home inspection checklist for you to consult so that you can make the right decision even before you buy.
- Lot: Is there sufficient drainage away from the house? Is the house lower than the street or neighboring homes?
- Roof: Does the roof appear to be sagging or deteriorating anywhere? When was it last replaced?
- Exterior: Are the gutters and downspouts firmly attached and pointed down and away from the property? Any loose boards, brick, or mortar? How’s the siding–will it need repair or repainting?
- Interior: Do the ceilings or windows show evidence of leaks? Do the floors appear sloped, sagged, or stained at all? Do the walls appear straight both vertically and horizontally?
- Foundation: Are there cracks, shifts, or other irregularities at the base of the walls or on the ceilings?
- Basement: Does the basement seem damp or musky? Are there any loose tiles or stains that might indicate water damage? How well insulated is it?
- Electrical: Do the switches work? Are the outlets grounded? Have there been any updates to the system, or is there room for remodel?
- Plumbing: Are the faucets and toilets functioning well? Do you see any rust, rot, or corrosion on the piping or drains?
- Heating/cooling: How old is the furnace or other heating/cooling system? When was it last inspected or serviced?
Once you’ve taken inventory of these major inspection concerns, you’ll know better where you stand–and where your money will best be spent.
If the house you’re considering has serious structural issues, you should think about lowering your offer or even continuing your search. If you don’t have a DIY mentality, fixing all those problems might be more of a headache than the house is worth.
If you’re still set on buying the house, you may want to consider hiring a cleaning and restoration company like INTEK to repair the home. We offer a wide variety of services that can take care of even the oldest of homes, such as furnace and duct cleaning, water damage restoration, and mold remediation.
Happy home inspecting!
