Over the years, professional home inspectors have identified a list of problems that typically appear on purchasers’ home inspection reports. Early correction of these problems can increase a home’s appeal, and it’s selling price. Correction also sets the stage for a favorable home inspection report should the purchaser request one, and thereby helps to streamline your sale. The following checklist can help you achieve your marketing goals.

Using the checklist as a guide to examine your house will enable you to see your house the way a prospective purchaser or a professional home inspector might.

Is your home physically fit? To give your home a competitive edge when it’s time to sell, make sure it is in good physical condition. This not only makes your house more attractive and desirable, it also simplifies or eliminates the negotiation process when the time comes for the buyer’s pre-purchase inspection.

According to home inspection experts everywhere, approximately half of the resale homes on the market today have at least one significant defect. Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent major costly problems from developing in the first place. So, if you’ve been putting off repairs, now is the time to catch up, as quick as you can!

To identify which components are most in need of repair, many sellers now enlist professional home inspectors before putting up the ‘For Sale’ sign.

What is a home inspection?
A professional home inspection is an objective, in-depth visual examination of a home’s structure and operating systems, and should result in a detailed report describing the condition of the home. The main intent of a home inspection is to educate the client as to the physical condition of the home. No house is perfect, and a home inspection is not intended to identify every little blemish or minute surface imperfection. The conscientious home inspector tries to discover if there are major defects in a home that the client, and perhaps no one else, is aware of – and should also point out the positive aspects of a house. A good or better than average report can be a good marketing tool for vendors and their agents.

HVAC System

The HVAC System is one of the most critical components of the structure as well as the sale of the home and the inspection process. Having a properly operating HVAC system not only saves the homeowner in utility costs but can substantially help in the selling of the home. If the HVAC is not functioning properly during the inspection process it can potentially cost the seller in repairs or maintenance costs or may affect the sale of the home.

_____Are the filters clean or need replacing.

_____Clean around the air register and air return vents

_____Clean out any stored items that may be in the HVAC closet or in the attic area at the HVAC unit.

_____Make sure there is no excessive vegetation growing around the outside unit.

_____Are the Freon lines for both the outside unit and in the attic area properly insulated?

_____Does the outside unit sit level and elevated at least 3 inches above grade?

_____Does the HVAC unit look clean and in proper working order?

_____Are there any loose wires at the HVAC units?

_____Are the gas supply lines in proper working order?

_____Does the unit work properly, by cooling and/or heat properly?

_____Are the ducts in good condition and working properly?

Outside

_____Does the doorbell work? Is it loose?

_____From the ground, look at your roof for missing shingles.

_____From the ground, look at your chimney. Does it have a rain cap and spark arrestors on it?

_____Are the gutters and downspouts loose, damaged, or clogged?

_____Are ventilation screens at the attic gable and soffit vents in place and undamaged?

_____Does water pond near the foundation after running the landscape irrigation or after it rains?

_____Are there any cracks in the foundation walls?

_____Can you see evidence anywhere of termites, wasps, spiders, or bird nests?

_____Does any exposed wood need painting?

_____Is there any wood in direct contact with soil, including fences and gates?

_____Are there any wires (electric, cable, phone) hanging loose on the exterior siding?

_____Are there any holes or other damage to siding, doors, and windows?

_____Are any fence sections leaning, missing, or damaged?

_____Do gates open and close without scraping the structure or the ground?

_____Are exterior outlets protected from weather and not in permanent use for landscape lighting or irrigation controls?

_____Are retaining walls cracked or leaning?

_____Is vegetation overgrown, especially in walkways; growing on siding, roof, chimney, fences, or in gutters; or too close to utility lines?

_____Are there trip hazards in walkways, driveways, and stairways from deterioration, damage, or storage?

_____Are guardrails and handrails loose or damaged at stairways, decks, balconies, and porches.

_____Does the landscape lighting work?

_____Does the irrigation system work properly?

_____Is the pool and spa in good condition and does the equipment work?

Inside

_____Are the towel holders and bathroom tissue holders damaged or missing?

_____Are bathtubs, showers, and shower doors damaged?

_____Are floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors and walls tempered, including shower doors (look for safety seal in one of the corners)?

_____Do carbon monoxide detectors work?

_____Do smoke alarms work, and are they are present on each floor of multi-story houses and in each bedroom?

_____Are kitchen and bathroom countertops loose?

_____Do doors (including closet doors and cabinet doors), drawers, and windows work?

_____Is there missing, loose, or damaged hardware on doors (including closet doors and cabinet doors), drawers (stops and guides), and windows.

_____Are glass panes loose or cracked in windows and doors?

_____Do latches/locks work on doors (including closet doors and cabinet doors), drawers, and windows?

_____Are screen windows damaged?

_____Is there excessive storage in closets, attic, or garage?

_____Are there any holes or other damage to walls and ceilings?

_____Are there any unexplained moisture stains on ceilings and walls; around doors and windows; near sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers; and near the dishwasher?

_____Are guardrails and handrails in stairways loose, missing, or damaged?

_____Are baseboards and door and window moldings loose, damaged, or missing?

_____Are any tiles (floor, walls, and countertops) loose or damaged?

_____Do all kitchen appliances work?

_____Is there an anti-tip device on the stove?

_____Are filters in place and clean (kitchen range hood, heating/cooling, bathroom fans, etc.)?

_____Is there soot, cobwebs, or wildlife in the fireplace and lower areas of the chimney?

_____Does the fireplace damper open and close easily?

_____Do you have any manufacturer installation guides, user guides to provide to your buyer?

_____Do you have any architectural drawings for renovations to provide to your buyer?

_____Do you have any receipts or warranty papers for any work done on the property, particularly for inspections and work done to prepare the property for sale?

Plumbing

_____Do all the stoppers work in bathtubs and sinks?

_____Are any drains clogged or abnormally slow?

_____Are any toilet seats loose or damaged?

_____Are faucets dripping or leaking around the base?

_____Do your faucet handles have a stop action on them?

_____Are any hot and cold water pipes reversed at sinks, bathtubs, or showers? (Cold on the right, hot on the left!)

_____Is the caulk or grout in sinks, bathtubs, and showers all black and cracked?

_____Do you have safe and easy access to water shutoff valves (street curb, water heater, sinks, toilets, etc.).

_____Do you have safe and easy access to gas shutoff valves (meter, furnace, water heater, etc.).

_____Are toilets loose at the floor?

_____Are toilet tanks loose?

Electrical

_____Do you have safe and easy access to electric panels?

_____Do ceiling fans work on all speeds?

_____Do ceiling fans wobble or make weird noises?

_____Are all light bulbs working?

_____Do you have any damaged or loose outlets or light switches, including covers for outlets and switches?

_____Do you have a lot of extension cords and outlet multipliers?

_____Do all outlets work?

_____Do you have outdated two-prong outlets?

_____Do you have GFCI outlets in the kitchen, bathrooms, garage, and exterior?

_____Do exhaust fans work in kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry area?

_____Do all electrical junction boxes have covers?

If the sellers suspects problems with any of the systems mentioned in this pre inspection check list and is beyond the scope of normal repair and maintenance, then it is recommended that a licensed repair contractor be consulted.

Pets

As a animal lover, I take special care when inspecting homes with pets. Having pets in the home during the inspection typically does not affect my inspection process as long as the pet is comfortable with me being there and I am comfortable with the pet. Having someone new in the pets environment can cause stress to the animal which may affect the inspection process. Make sure that everyone involved in the inspection is aware of the pets presence and well being or consider having the pets absent or kenneled during the inspection.

This list is only intended to be used as a guide for the parties involved in the selling or buying of the home. It is in no way to be used as an official TREC promulgated inspection form or process. If there are questions related to this pre inspection check list please consult your Real Estate Professional.

Thank you and have a Happy Home

Randy Barfield

Barfield Home Inspections and Termite Control, LLP.
www.abhomeinspect.com

b512-350-0123
TREC Lic#7512
TPCL Lic#12734
NAWT Septic Lic# 112158 IC
TCEQ Class 1 OSSF Installer Lic OS0028868
ICC Code Council Lic#5309491
TRCC Builder Lic# 32286