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Morris Digital Works Wire Service
A house is a big investment and you need to make sure there are no unexpected surprises in your new home. The last thing you want to worry about when you are about to move in is whether your electrical system works, whether the basement leaks, and whether you have an insured warranty to cover it.
This is why it is so important for home buyers to inspect each house thoroughly. From the initial tour to the final walk-through before going to settlement. Make sure you are attentitive to detail and ask a lot of questions.
Below is a checklist that should help you in your walk-through. You should take the time to make your own checklist of items for inspection during the walk-through. By following your own checklist, you should be able to correct any errors before you move in.
Also check out our house checklist, to help you in picking your next home.
Ask if any renovations have been made to the house, and who made them.
Roof structures:
* Are the shingles flat and tight?
Walk-through checklist
* Is flashing securely in place?
* Do gutters, downspouts and splash blocks drain away from the house?
Exterior appearance:
* Are all windows and doors sealed and protected by weatherstripping?
* Are trim and fittings tight?
* Is trim wood rotten or split?
* Are there cracks in wood, brick, etc?
* Is yard and landscaping in good condition? Erosion problems?
* Is fence in good condition?
* Are outlying buildings in good shape (sheds)?
* Do lights work?
* Check foundation for cracks and loose brickwork or mortar
Doors/Windows:
* Are all doors and windows properly sealed, and do they operate easily?
* If it's a brand new home, are the doors and windows the type specified in the contract?
* Is all glass in place, and not loose or cracked?
Finishes:
* Is painting satisfactory in all rooms, including closets and stairways?
* Is trim and molding in place?
* Do carpet seams match?
* Are there any ridges or seam gaps in the vinyl tile or linoleum?
* Do floors squeak?
* Are banisters and rails secure and sturdy?
Appliances:
* Do they operate properly?
* Do faucets and other plumbing fixtures, including toilets and showers, work properly?
* Do all electrical outlets and fixtures work properly (Take a hair dryer to test outlets)
* Test and make sure there are proper smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors where applicable.
* Check conditions of furnace and air conditioner
Other:
* Do all lights work?
* Are there cracks in basement walls, signs of flooding?
* Are all stairs safe and sturdy from basement to attic?
* Is wallpaper peeling, holes in walls, cracks?
* Are there loose tiles in kitchen or bathrooms?
* Is there any asbestos or lead paint (older houses)?
* Check for signs of termites, ants and other insects.
Final inspection/certificate of occupancy (for new homes):
* Has your local municipality signed off on your house?
All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
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