HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST

WHAT HOME BUYERS NEED TO KNOW

Buying a home for the first time can be quite an adventure. There are many things to think about, and for some of them, you can never be ready enough. However, even if this is not your first homebuying rodeo, one thing never changes: you always need to have a home inspection checklist before buying a property. To learn what this list should consist of, make sure to keep reading.

Why is a home inspection checklist so important?

Whether you are buying a home from a family member or a stranger, you always need to have a home inspection. A home inspection tells you a lot about the property and its current value. Some homes are in dire need of a remodel, and that information can lower the selling price. Also, a home inspection tells you if there is any unpermitted work done on the place.

In general, this inspection is your safety checkup, and you should never buy a home without one.

What should be on every home inspection checklist?

When buying a house, you need to check these things:

• roof;
• foundation;
• attic;
• inside and outside walls;
• ceiling;
• floor;
• electrical wiring, electrical panels, power outlets, light switches;
• plumbing fixtures;
• water heater;
• windows and doors;
• steps and stairs in the house;
• heating system;
• garage;
• all appliances;
• downspouts and rain gutters;
• house porch;
• balconies;
• walkway;
•  

All of these elements directly affect the price of the home. If you are a first-time homebuyer, one of the most important steps is to set your priorities. Know exactly what kind of home you want and what features it should have. The inspection will get you a full report about the place, and you will know if the house fits your requirements or not.

What is not included in a home inspection?

While a home inspection covers a lot, there are also some things that are not included. In fact, many people make the mistake of thinking that a home inspection will cover everything. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about this. The things that are not included in a home inspection are:

• checking the lawn sprinklers, trees, and landscaping;
• sewer line;
• swimming pool, if there is any;
• various issues with drainage and odors;
• chimney and fireplace;
• the quality of internet service;
• problems with rodents or wood-destroying pests;
• floors under carpets.

These are some of the elements that you probably won’t see on a home inspection checklist. Some inspectors might write a few notes about these aspects, but not that often. They usually focus on the physical condition of the house.

To cover yourself and protect your investment when buying a house, you can always speak with the real estate agent and see if the seller is willing to sign a full disclosure form. This document will cover any problems with the entire property, even those not covered by the inspection.

How to find a qualified home inspector?

While a home inspection is necessary, you want to find a qualified inspector with a lot of experience. This is even more important if you are buying a house from out of state. You need a person you can trust.

The first thing to do is look for a sample of the home inspection report. See what the report includes and what it does not. Some reports are very short, while others may be 100 pages long. Furthermore, some reports consist of detailed notes, while others only include checkboxes and brief explanations. It is important to see what kinds of comments inspectors write. You want a clear, concise, and readable report.

Keep in mind that a longer report is not necessarily better; it should be detailed but easy to understand.

Another thing to check is when the inspection will start, and how many days it will take for it to be completed. You don’t want to hire an inspector that will drag this process for months. It will only delay the process of closing the deal and cause issues in the future.

Furthermore, ask about the price. It can vary anywhere from $350 to $600.

Finally, ask any questions you might think of. You want complete transparency, so make sure there are no shady situations with the inspector.

A few tips on the moving process

While you are looking for a home and trying to close the deal, it does not hurt to start preparing for the relocation. In fact, the team at orangemover.com suggests that preparing for a relocation in a timely manner can save you a lot of money. With that in mind, here are a couple of things to think about while the homebuying process is happening.

Start packing on time

Many people think that packing won’t take too much time. It feels that way until you actually start packing. However, this can be a very tedious process. Start packing on time, and you will avoid packing mistakes that happen in a hurry.

Always declutter before moving

If you are downsizing to a smaller home, you will have a lot of issues with the lack of space. Think about ways to get rid of unnecessary things. Decluttering will not only help with the move-in, but it will also reduce the packing time and packing expenses.

The best options for decluttering are:

• a yard sale;
• donation to charity;
• throwing stuff away;
• giving the stuff to your friends or family.

Everything homebuyers need to know – made easy!

And there you have it. We hope that you now understand the importance of a home inspection checklist. Our final advice is to take your time with finding a home you want to buy. You might feel in a rush to buy something if the process takes more time, but try to fight that urge. Homebuying is a complex situation, and you want to avoid making mistakes. Best of luck with finding the home of your dreams!

Photo used:

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