What Your Home Inspection Should Cover

Don't be deceived by new carpeting and a fresh coat of paint—make sure to have your home thoroughly inspected before you buy.

Siding:

Look for dents or buckling

Foundations:

Look for cracks or water seepage

Exterior Brick:

Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks

Insulation:

Look for condition, adequate rating for climate

Doors and Windows:

Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weather stripping

Roof:

Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts

Ceilings, walls, and moldings:

Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away

Porch/Deck:

Loose railings or step, rot

Electrical:

Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room

Plumbing:

Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation

Water Heater:

Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating

Furnace/Air Conditioning:

Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors.

Garage:

Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism

Basement:

Look for water leakage, musty smell

Attic:

Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof

Septic Tanks (if applicable):

Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family

Driveways/Sidewalks:

Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.