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Why You Need To Inspect A Home Before You Buy

Evaluate the overall condition of a home including

How To Conduct A Self-Inspection

The key element in a successful inspection is objectivity. Emotion should not have any part in your overall judgement if you are to get an accurate evaluation.
Here are ten easy steps for conducting an objective, systematic preliminary home inspection:

1. Divide the home into parts:

• Exterior -- siding, roof, windows, landscaping, driveway and sidewalks, wood-destroying insects
• Garage and other outbuildings
• Interior -- attic, basement, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, plumbing, visible insulation.
• Interior Electrical system -- service size, fixtures, wiring.
• Heating and Cooling -- heating fuel, efficiency.

2. Take along some basic "inspection" equipment

While you may be limited as to how much investigating you can do personally, you can, with the aid of some basic tools, check certain areas of a home that warrant close inspection. For example, youll want to take a close look at the home's plumbing and electrical systems, find out whether or not the floors are level, check the condition of the roof, look for signs of termites, and investigate crawl spaces.

• A flashlight to help you investigate in dark areas such as crawl spaces.
• A marble or steel ball to help determine whether or not the floors are level.
• A screwdriver, pocketknife or ice pick to assist your inspection for termites or wood rot.
• Binoculars to give you a closer look at the roof, chimney, down spouts, etc.
• A magnet to help you determine whether or not the plumbing pipes are made of iron.An electrical tester for testing the electrical ground connection.

3. Prepare an inspection checklist

Make a "check-off" worksheet, listing all the home's parts you plan to inspect . You can use the worksheet/checklist as a guide for performing the inspection. For example, list all of the exterior items you plan to inspect: siding, roof, landscape, etc. noting condition and other factors. Check-off each item following its inspection.
The inspection checklist will allow you to record your visual observations, and help you determine the true condition of the home. The record will help you make an objective decision based on facts.

4. Exterior inspection

Using your inspection checklist and a pair of binoculars, note the condition and quality of the following features:

• Roof -Look for signs that the roof is waterproof. Loose, missing, or repaired shingles may indicate that the leaks or has leaked in the past (you'll also be looking for signs of inside water damage during your inspection of the home's interior).
• gutters & down spouts - need repair or replacing? Placed properly for good drainage?
• vent-stack - is it blocked in any way? Connected properly?
• chimney - is it cracked? Is there good ventilation? Is there soot build-up?
• Exterior wall siding. Note the type (aluminum, vinyl, wood, brick, stone, stucco, etc), condition, color and style of the siding. Will it require frequent maintenance? Look for signs of excessive wear or damage, dents, scratches, cracking, peeling, blistering and so on. Also inspect the exterior trim to determine its general condition.
• Windows and Exterior Doors. Open and close the windows and doors. When evaluating windows consider such things as quality, type of glass (double-pane or triple-pane), placement (each bedroom should have at least one "easy-to-open window" for a quick exit in case of fire or other emergency); whether or not storm windows are available; and how much maintenance will be required.When inspecting exterior doors, find out whether or not they are solid or sturdy; weather-stripped and sealed; and secure (equipped with dead bolts). Also consider whether or not the doors have adequate "step-downs" to the outside.
• Garage and outbuildings. Check the overall condition to determine whether or not it is in need of structural repair. Also pay close attention to how the garage door operates (is it automatic and if so, is an automatic door opener included?). Inside, check for adequate lighting, electrical outlets, ventilation, drainage, storage space, and at least one other door to the outside.
• Other outbuildings need to be checked for overall condition and general utility. Again, note whether or not such structures are in need of any repair.
• Landscaping, driveways and sidewalks. Walk around the whole grounds area. Are they flat or bumpy? Do they slope away from the home's foundation? Is the lawn neat and green? Are there trees or shrubbery too close to the house? Is the driveway cracked or in need of any other repair? Is it convenient? Can you get in and out of the driveway safely? If the driveway slopes away from the garage, is there proper drainage? Is there adequate illumination over these areas at night?

To be thorough, you should walk around the house at least twice, taking note of all important exterior features. And go over your checklist to make sure you haven't overlooked any items you intended to examine.

5. Look for signs of wood-destroying insects and wood rot

• Cracks and openings in the foundation which could provide insects with access to wood.
• Signs of infestation in crawl spaces and the undersides of raised porches.
• Swarms of winged insects emerging from soil or wood.
• Discarded insect wings.
•  Flattened shelter tubes along the exterior of the house.
•  Numerous, small piles of sawdust.Using a screwdriver, pocketknife or other sharp instrument, probe wood around the outside (and inside of the house). If the blade you are using sinks easily into the wood, it could be a sign of infestation.

6. Check the foundation

Checking a foundation for possible structural flaws and weaknesses is a top priority when inspecting a house, and although you may not be an expert, a careful examination can uncover some potential problems including serious deterioration. First of all note the construction type of the foundation wall. Is it concrete block, poured concrete, brick, stone, or some other type? You then should consider the following factors:

• Is the foundation resting on solid ground?
• Does the ground slope away from the foundation?
• Are there any signs of cracking, deterioration, and settling in the foundation walls?
• Does water from downspouts flow away from the house or does it settle into the foundation?

If you're uncertain whether or not the foundation and drainage are adequate, you need to consult a professional if you plan on buying the property. They know exactly what to look for and can tell you whether or not any problems exist that could prove costly.

7. Inspect the interior

Inside the home, do a room-by-room inspection. Don't hesitate to

• open and close faucets on sinks, tubs, and showers;
• flush toilets; inspect the water heater;
• turn on and off switches for lighting and ceiling fans;
• turn on the heating and/or air-conditioning system;
• open and close windows and doors;
• check out any appliances that may come with the house.
• Inspect the attic for ease of access, condition, proper ventilation, signs of water damage, and overall utility.
• check to see whether or not any electrical wiring, ducts and pipes in the attic are neat and insulated properly.

- Room-by-room. Your inspection should be methodical, noting the type, quality and condition of all important features, including walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and closets. Look for cracks and/or stains on ceilings and walls. Inspect the floor in each room as well. Note the type and quality of the floors and floor coverings, evaluating whether any repairs or improvements are needed. Also inspect any unfinished rooms and consider the expense of finishing them.

•  Basement. Check the dampness level. Does the basement show signs of water damage? Is there adequate floor drainage? Inspect the water heater and furnace, if they are located in the basement. And look for utility electric, or other hookups for washers and dryers (if there is no other laundry room).
• Plumbing. Note the water pressure, the look, smell and taste of the tap water. Find the main water shutoff valve where the water supply enters the home. Open and close all faucets, nozzles and spouts. Do they close tightly, without dripping? Llisten for any suspicious noises, such as gurgling and/or rattling sounds. Other considerations include the type of pipes used for the water lines; whether or not the septic tank has been cleaned on a regular basis, and whether or not the plumbing fixtures are properly vented.

8. Electrical wiring.

Again, you may not be an expert in such matters, but you can check whether or not there is enough power to operate all your appliances and other electrical components. What quality of the materials used in the system and its fixtures? Also note whether the system uses circuit breakers or fuses (if circuit breakers-- how many?); whether or not there is any exposed wiring (if so, is it insulated properly?); how many standard receptacles there are throughout the house and whether or not they are three-hole grounded outlets; and whether or not there is adequate overhead lighting throughout the house.

9. Heating and cooling system.

Turn on the heating/cooling system and see for yourself how well it works.Note the type of system used to heat the home. (electric, gas, forced air, or some other type) Do you approve of the type of heating fuel used? How is the system rated for efficiency? What is the age and overall condition of the system. If it is over five years old, find out whether or not it has been inspected by a professional. If not, it may be advisable to have the system inspected. Ask to see a typical heating/cooling bill.

10. Make a final walk-through inspection

Just prior to the contract closing, you and/or a professional inspector should conduct a final walk-through inspection of the house. This should be done after the sellers have moved out, but before the actual closing. You may have missed something in your preliminary inspection or damage may have occurred when the seller's furniture was moved out.
Check the walls, windows, doors, and plumbing fixtures for damage. Also check the operation of the plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling systems. Make sure there have been no "physical changes" to the home between the time of the contract signing and the closing. If changes have occurred, discuss them with the seller before the closing.

Major Problems

Some potentially costly problems include the following:

• The need for a new roof.
• The need for "re-siding" the exterior walls.
• Termite infestation and/or damage.
• The need to repair or rehabilitate the foundation.
• Inadequate drainage.
• The need for a new heating/cooling system.
• The need to re-pipe the plumbing system.
• Inadequate or improper electrical wiring.

Undetected, those and other problems could take a large chuck out of your profits. Once you close on the property, it will be your responsibility to correct the problems. A thorough home inspection by you and then by professionals before you buy can help you avoid making such a costly decision.