It’s not unusual to see some things on your first tour that seem questionable. Although buyers and agents often lack the knowledge and experience to answer all their questions about a home’s condition, noting anything suspicious or confusing about your new home will help you have a more positive home inspection experience.
Let the inspector know that you are already worried about certain aspects of the house. Do not be afraid to ask questions about the property. You will also have a better experience if you tell the inspector about any issues that you’ve noticed, such as a crack in a foundation or mysterious puddles on the lawn. If the inspector finds out that the problem you reported is not a real issue, they can note this in their report.
This is a handy checklist that you can use when doing a walk through with a prospective buyer:
Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers
This is the same checklist that an inspector would use, but you will be able to complete it much quicker. Even if you find many problems, the majority of home defects can be fixed. We recommend that you do not back out of a real estate deal until a professional home inspection in Raleigh NC has been performed. Buyers may negotiate with sellers, depending on the market conditions and the inspection report results, to include the repairs in the sale or to lower the price of the property.
Exterior inspection checklist
Before you enter a home, it has a lot of things to say. Do not forget to look at these areas when you are outside a property.
- Roof – Have you noticed any sagging or missing shingles? Do you see any mystery stains, or growth of plants (moss, tree branches, ivy) on the roof. Ask when the roof was last replaced.
- Siding – Is the siding in good condition and made of what material? Are the gutters free of debris and securely attached to the house? Does the downspout drain away from the foundation?
- Windows, doors and shutters – Are the doors easily opened but secure when closed? Are the doors slapping or banging against walls and floors? Do the windows have intact glass or are they painted shut and cracked? Are there any drafts or moisture at the edge of the windows and doors? If the house has shutters on the windows, are they attached securely to the house?
- Foundation – Have you noticed any cracks? Does the ground around the foundation look soggy or sunken at the edges? Ivy or other plants are growing on the foundation. Does a tree grow near the foundation?
Interior inspection checklist
Walk through your entire house from top to bottom. Along the way, make sure to check these points:
- Attic – Is the attic finished or unfinished? Does it appear that the roof is in good shape from inside? Are there any signs of damage caused by water?
- Bedrooms – Do all bedrooms have two exits (windows or doors) in the event of an emergency? Do closet doors open without scuffing the walls or floors?
- Floors – What is the condition and material of your flooring? Are there any stains on the carpeted floors?
- Bathrooms – Does the faucet on the tub, sink or shower work? Does the toilet flush correctly? Does the water pressure seem high, low or just right to you? Are there any signs of water damage, leaks or improper sealing around the fixtures? Do you see any signs of water damage or leaks around the fixtures?
- Kitchen – In what condition are the appliances in? Do they come with the property? What condition are the cabinets or pantry? Are there any ventilation fans or (openable) window in the kitchen?
- Electrical – Does the lighting in your home work? Are the switches functional in all rooms? Is the electrical box a circuit breaker or a fusebox? The outlets are three-prong grounded or two-prong not grounded.
- Home heating and cooling systems – What is the function of the heating system in your home? Gas or electric? How does your home’s air-conditioning system work? Is it dependent on window units or central cooling?
- Basement/Cellar – Does the basement have a finished or partially finished look? Ask the agent if the basement is finished, partially finished or unfinished. These designations may affect the legal use of the space. Check the age of the water heater, as well as that it works properly and does not leak.
- Smell – Note the exact location of any strong or unpleasant smells in your home and tell your inspector. You can usually detect issues like gas leaks and mold, or even pest infestations.
What Should I Do Once I Have Completed The Buyer’s Checklist?
You can take all your concerns and notes to a professional inspector if you want to proceed with the purchase. You should not waive the home inspection (even in a hot housing market). Instead, book your own inspector. The selling agent has an incentive to ignore issues that may ruin the sale. This is particularly true if you are buying in a non-licensed state. Inspection reports are the professional’s opinion, but there are some unscrupulous actors who can stretch it to the limit.
Book your Buyer’s Home Inspection
We can help you avoid the hassle of vetting inspectors on your own. Our team has already vetted over 1000 inspectors across the country. We make sure to do our homework to ensure that we partner only with professional inspectors who are licensed or unlicensed in the state. All of our partners must also adhere to local regulations and standard operating procedures regarding real estate and property inspections. We know that you want to move into your new home as soon as possible, so we send all inspection reports to the buyer in less than 24 hours.