Home Inspection Checklist

A home inspection checklist should include all the important details that need to be evaluated before the purchase of a home is finalized. After all, once you purchase a home, any work that needs to be done becomes your responsibility.

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Home inspection checklists are commonly used by professional inspectors as well as by people looking to buy or sell a home.

Professional home inspectors utilize home inspection checklists all the time. These forms are sometimes created by inspection software companies while some inspectors take the time to create their own checklists based on their professional experiences. These forms should list a wide variety of common issues seen by inspectors that might point to potential problems within the home. The items on the checklist do not necessarily indicate a definite reason why the home is not fit to be put on the real estate market, but instead points to things that should be repaired or replaced before the new owner moves in. It's up to the buyer and the seller to negotiate how any problems identified will be handled.

Potential sellers and buyers can benefit from using a quality checklist before putting a house up for sale or deciding to purchase a home. Checklists can reveal potential issues that sellers should repair if they want to get full value for their home as well as issues that buyers should ask to have fixed before buying the house. Sometimes a checklist will reveal problems with a home that might indicate that major repairs are needed before putting the house on the market.

Checklists that are not used by professional home inspectors can be very useful, but should not be considered a substitute for a complete professional inspection.

Most checklists feature similar information. The purpose is to list all the potential problems within a home and notate them on the checklist. Some checklists include only "pass" or "fail" options, while others leave more room for detailed information.

Here are some items that commonly appear on checklists for home inspections:

• Roof: The roof should be in good repair without any leaks or damage. Gutters should be clear and without rust and the attic should have sufficient ventilation and insulation.
• Exterior: Several items are evaluated with the exterior of a home. The checklist should delve beyond the appearance of the exterior, although the appearance can be a consideration. The outside of the home should be appealing to potential buyers.
• Plumbing: The plumbing should be functional and without problems. Leaks, backed up drains, and other issues should be pinpointed using the checklist.
• Electric System: This should include items beyond the wiring but also extend to light fixtures and any other semi-permanent electrical fixtures.
• Structure: The structural integrity of the home is incredibly important. While some repairs on a home can be relatively inexpensive, structural problems can be quite major.
• Appliances: Any appliances that are not included in the home sale should not be inspected using the checklist. Appliances that are part of the home sale, however, should be part of the inspection checklist.
• Remaining Items: Any remaining items that exist on the home, such as a garage or any other structures considered part of the home sale, should also be inspected to make sure that everything is in acceptable condition.

Plenty of websites offer downloads of inspection checklists, especially for potential buyers or sellers. Print a checklist for your own use prior to buying a home. However, do not skip on a professional inspection simply because you have a comprehensive checklist from a website.

Here is a brief list of websites offering inspection checklists that you can use:

• Inspect America
• Home Site
• Houses Under Fifty Thousand
• Accurate Inspections

There are plenty of other websites where you can find thorough inspection checklists. Take the time to review several options before deciding on a specific checklist because some of these types of documents are more thorough than others.

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• List of Popular Mortgage Companies
• FHA Loan Guidelines

• FHA Mortgages and Home Inspection Requirements
• Help for Single Moms to Buy a House
• Escrow
• FHA Debt to Income Guidelines
• Free Home Inspection Forms

• Chicago Suburban Home Inspection
• Appraisal Versus Home Inspection
• Category:Home Buyer Inspection
• Home Inspection Report Software
• Orlando Home Inspection