You are about to make one of the greatest financial investments in your life. Unless you have all the knowledge, tools and expertise, the decision to have a Licensed Residential Inspector go over the property you are considering purchasing should not even come into question.

In order to safeguard your investment and avoid costly unexpected repairs after a purchase an Inspection is a pre-requisite. If any Home components are found to be faulty, those repairs can be made or the cost of repairs can be negotiated prior to closing. A “conditional upon Home inspection” clause can save a lot of heart ache and money.

A Home Inspection can also protect the Seller. If you can show prospective buyers that every good faith effort has been made to identify any potential problems prior to sale, the client can then feel secure in the “product” that is being evaluated. Furthermore, an Inspection for the seller can identify potential stumbling blocks before they come up.

This could equate into a faster sale.

A Home Inspection takes about 3 to 4 hours on average, depending on the size, age and condition of the property. Having access to all components of a house is essential to a good, quality Home Inspection.

By using the checklist below, you can ensure an efficient professional Inspection.

1. Make sure that the Inspector has access to the property.
2. Have ALL utilities “on” at time of inspection.
3. Remove anything that can hinder access to:
1. Electrical Panels
2. Water heaters
3. HVAC
4. Attic
5. Crawl Space

Ensuring a “Clean” Inspection

This is a checklist of the Items identified and reported on a standard Home Inspection.

By using this list, a seller can insure that minimal obstacles will crop up during an Inspection thereby facilitating a Sale .

Exterior

1        Cut back any vegetation in contact with the home.

2        Make sure that mulch does not contact siding.

3        Caulk all openings and seams.

4        Repair any broken glass

5        Repair or replace any damaged screens.

6        Repair any loose handrails and steps.

Roof

1          Clean out and/or repair any gutters and downspouts.

2          Make sure gutters and downspouts are properly secured.

3          Install splash blocks under downspouts to divert water away from home.

4          Secure any loose vents.

5          Have any masonry chimney defects repaired.

HVAC

        2             Install new air filters

        3             Clean all vents and plenum.

Electrical

1        Make sure that any electrical outlets at kitchen counters, bathrooms, garages and

     home exterior are GFCI protected.

2        Are all outlets and light switches working?

3        Do doorbells work?

4        Do ceiling fans operate properly?

5        Make sure that all smoke alarms respond to test button.

6        Are all appliances that convey operational?

7         Have any electrical problems corrected by a licensed and qualified electrician.

Plumbing

1        Make sure that faucets are not leaking.

2        Make sure that all sink stoppers operate properly

3        If water flow is restricted, sometimes, cleaning the aerator screen will correct it.

4        If sink disposal is noisy, remove any debris.

5        Tighten all waste line connections under sinks.

6        Where plumbing projects from a wall, seal openings around piping.

7        Caulk around tub and shower enclosures.

8        Check for loose toilets at floor and tank.

9        Dishwasher drain lines should loop at the highest point under cabinet.

10    If sinks drain slowly, clean them out.

11    Have plumbing problems addressed by a licensed and qualified plumber.

Interior

     1    Make sure all windows are operational and lock properly.

     2   Check that all doors close properly and that all locks work.

     3   Check weather stripping on exterior doors and replace if necessary.

     4   Tighten knobs on all cabinetry.

     5   Tighten any loose towel bars and tissue holders.

     6   Are there any loose or broken tiles?

     7   Clean the fireplace, ensuring that the damper works properly.

     8   Are there any signs of insect infestation?