Checklist for Home Inspections

 

Even in a seller’s market, smart homebuyers aren’t going to make a purchase without having a property professionally inspected first.

That’s why it’s important for sellers to know where their house may fall short of a buyer’s expectations. “The more we can head off anything that can be a negotiation point, the better.”

To do that, sellers should do their own property review to identify potential problem areas, from potential water leaks to dangerous mold. Then, they can make inexpensive repairs and avoid unpleasant surprises during an inspection.

For first-time homebuyers, an inspection is a crucial part of the process. It offers the chance to discover any flaws in a property and back out of a sale, Look for an experienced ASHI certified professional who can provide references, has positive reviews online and a good score with the Better Business Bureau. Also request a copy of their inspection report, so you can see what items are covered in a standard inspection.

[Read: 8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Inspector.]

While inspectors provide a vital service, both buyers and sellers should understand their limitations.
With that in mind, use the following checklist to stay prepared before a home inspection.

Ensure lights are working and switches are covered.  A general home inspection will include a visual review of the electrical system. The cover to the electrical panel will be removed and wiring inspected to determine if the workmanship meets industry and state standards. If anything about the electrical system raises concerns, an inspector will recommend bringing in a licensed electrician for further review.

Likewise, make sure all electrical outlets and switches have intact covers. While electrical receptacles are often in good condition in living spaces,

Perform routine maintenance tasks. Replace the filters on furnaces and air conditioning units and make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.

If buyers see these maintenance tasks have been neglected, “They are going to assume other things aren’t maintained either,” says J.B. Sassano, president of home improvement firm Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly company. Also keep in mind inspectors may check the condition of build-in appliances and will likely note any obvious maintenance defects in their report.

Clean out the mechanical room. Take time to clean out the mechanical room and check for any problems with your HVAC system such as leaks. “Inspectors are going to look for the big-dollar items,”

If an inspector can’t test an appliance or fireplace, he may note that a seller should demonstrate it to the buyer before a sale. That means one more thing to put on your to-do list prior to closing, so it’s best to ensure everything is accessible and in working order before an inspection.

[Read: 5 Reasons to Get a Prelisting Home Inspection.]

Walk around the exterior. Buyers should review the exterior of their house and look for peeling paint, loose siding and hanging gutters.Then, correct problems before they become an issue for a potential buyer. An inspector and buyer will be wary of standing pools of water or a crumbling foundation.

Check windows and doors.  Vinyl windows can become sticky and difficult to open. However, buying inexpensive silicone spray from a home improvement store is an easy way to ensure inspectors will be able to open and close all windows.

McKinley also recommends checking that all interior and exterior doors open and close easily. Clear out the tracks of sliding doors and lubricate those as needed as well. If you have wood-framed windows, be sure they don’t have any soft or rotten spots. In addition to ensuring windows are working properly, an inspector will also look for gaps in the framing that should be caulked and rotted wood.

Long after a pipe or roof leak has been addressed, a stain may remain on the ceiling or drywall. If an inspector sees a stain, he or she will use a moisture meter to determine whether it is recent. However, even if there is no moisture found, the mere presence of a stain can make people leery of a home.

Look for mold. Mold is another thing that can scare away a potential buyer.

Check basements, attics, bathrooms and garages for mold.  Adding a dehumidifier to a room will help reduce moisture and prevent future mold from growing in the area.

Declutter the interior. While an inspector isn’t going to be scoring your house on how it’s staged, keeping the property clean and free of clutter will make it easy for all rooms to be accessed.

If you’re worried that cleaning up a house will uncover undesirable elements, Savoie says there are often simple and inexpensive ways to address a questionable area. “You don’t have to re-stain your floor,” she says as an example. “You just have to clean it with (the cleaning product) Old English.” Work with your real estate agent to determine how best to address unsightly features without breaking the bank.

Be upfront about home issues. Should your review turn up a problem that can’t be easily fixed, notify a prospective buyer. You don’t want a potential buyer to feel you’re not honest or are trying to conceal known flaws. While it’s always nice to be able to correct problems before an inspection, that’s not always possible. A good alternative can be offering a credit at closing so buyers can make needed updates themselves.

[Read: What to Do When Your House ‘Fails’ Inspection.]

As for buyers, once they receive an inspection report, they can consult with their broker to determine which defects, such as sticky windows, they are willing to overlook and which may take them back to the negotiating table.