Things to review with property inspector

Things to Think About When Home Shopping

While the property inspector will do a thorough, professional inspection of your new home (discuss this with your real estate agent), it is a good idea for you to check a few things yourself when considering a home purchase. Some general considerations include:

Age
Ceiling Height
Waste Disposal
Floor Plan
General Appearance
Wiring
Square Footage
Heating System
Insulation
Traffic Pattern
Air Conditioning
Number of Entrances
Stair Width
Plumbing
Basement
Hall Width
Water Supply
Attic

You should always check and inspect these items, room by room, when considering your purchase.

Try all lights and switches
Turn all faucets on and off
Flush the toilets
Turn on furnace & air conditioner
Test all stove burners
Turn the oven on bake & broil
Run the dishwasher
Open and close all windows and doors
All other operating systems

You need to make some notes on these interior features. Record important details and note anything that needs changing, repair, or special maintenance. You'll avoid costly repairs by making this extra effort.

Walls
Floor Covering
Appliances
Woodwork
Wall Coverings
Windows
Doors
Fixtures
Built-ins
Paint
Window Treatments
Storage
Ceiling
Lighting
Ventilation
Floor
Electrical Outlets
Closets

In addition, make sure the inspector investigates any signs of structural or water damage (such as wall cracks, moisture, etc.). When you actually buy a home, you should do a walk-through several days before closing to determine if all the conditions in your sales contract have been met. However, the time to inspect and note any defects you want corrected by the seller is during the contract inspection period or prior to signing the contract. Any repair or replacement items should be noted in the contract with any questions or concerns you might have.