Take a Look
- November, 2016
- Chris Buchanan, Professional Inspector
Would you spend 30 minutes viewing a property that is going to be your home for many years? Some buyers do – and live to regret it. This is a simple home buyer check list that will help you look past the staging, landscape, fixtures and finishes and determine if the home warrants a deeper look or if you need to move on and look at another home. These are strong indicators of how well the home has been maintained will identify if a home is more trouble than it's worth.
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Make sure there is a vertical gap of at least 6 inches between any dirt or mulch and the brick or siding of the house, the foundation should be exposed.
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Check the siding and trim for damage or rot.
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Check for intact caulk around windows and over nail heads.
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Verify that weather stripping is intact.
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Test exterior doors and knobs, latches and deadbolts.
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Damaged or missing roofing materials or a saggin roof.
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Are the gutters damaged, rusted through or sagging.
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Check that downspouts are properly diverted away from the house, either with elbows and splash blocks or drain pipes.
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Test the garage door opener
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If the home is newer with solid core, self-closing door to the interior, make sure the door closes and seals properly by itself.
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Check for leaks under the sinks and around the faucets.
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Look damage around toilets, tubs and showers.
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Inspect the tub and shower surround; don’t forget to check along the floor in front of tubs, showers and around toilets.
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Test built-in appliances.
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Open and close interior doors, verifying they operate easily, look for missing or damaged hardware
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Open, close and lock or latch interior windows, look for missing or damaged hardware.
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Flip all the switches to test light fixtures and fans.
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Check the water heater for signs of leaking or damage.
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Look for debris, plants and shrubs that closer than 24 inches to the exterior compressor of your air conditioning.
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Check the level the exterior compressor.
Exterior of Your Home:
Roofing & Gutters:
Garage:
Kitchen, Utility, & Bathrooms:
Interior & Attic:
Electrical:
Plumbing:
Heating & Cooling Systems:
THE BUYER'S CHECKLIST