Home Inspection Tips

Siding: Look for dents or buckling.

Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage.

Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks.

Garden: Test sprinkler and/or drip systems. Find locations of water faucets.

Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate (the higher the R value, the more effective the insulation).

Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping.

Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts.

Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away.

Porch/Deck: Look for loose railings or step, rot. Improper railings (too large to hold easily).

Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room.

Telephone Outlets: Look for locations and number--will there be enough?

Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation. Taste the water.

Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating.

Heating/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating. Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors. Wood Stoves: look for proper chimney pipe material, construction clearances and proper draft. Also look for proper wall and floor protection, such as brick or rock.

Alternative Energy Installations: Hire a qualified expert in alternative energy to check all systems.

Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor’Äîcracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism.

Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell, amount of insulation..

Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof, amount of insulation.

Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family.

Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains.