30 Jun 08 Home Inspection Checklist

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If you are planning to buy a home, you are likely planning to sell a home too. One of the usual steps in the buying and selling process involves having your home inspected. Below is a list of commonly inspected areas of a home.

Many home inspectors will begin their routine with the home’s foundation. Cracks can occur from earth settling below, which can lead to moisture seeping through. If there are cracks in your foundation, be sure to have a professional contractor come and repair the problem.

Expect your roof to be given a thorough overview, as a damaged roof can lead to much bigger problems – often associated from water damage. Reroofing a worn roof can often add value to your home, but only reroof if it is absolutely necessary; otherwise have any damages repaired by a professional roofing contractor.

Once inside your home, an inspector will look for any obvious signs of damage to walls, ceilings, and floors – e.g. stress fractures in walls, water damaged ceilings, and cracked tiles or worn out carpet. Additional interior inspection will include checking the heating and air-conditioning systems, doors and windows, plumbing, leaking sinks, electrical fixtures, and electrical outlets – to ensure they are properly working.

If selling your home, be sure to have as many of these items fixed before your scheduled inspection to prevent having to do so afterwards. In today’s market, most problems that are discovered will likely need to be repaired before listing your property; or you may not receive your home’s full value upon selling.

Tags: buying a home, foundation, home inspection, home inspection checklist, home selling tips, interior inspection, new home inspection, outside inspection, roof repair, selling a home