Your Home Inspection

You've found the perfect home. It meets all of your requirements, and it's pretty too! Is it as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside? A qualified home inspector will tell you if your home is as solid as it appears.

What Your Inspection Should Cover - Home Inspection Checklist:

• Siding - Identify dents or buckling.
• Foundations - Look for water seepage or cracks
• Exterior Brick - Identify cracks or mortar pulling away from the bricks.
• Insulation - Look for adequate rating for climate and overall condition.
• Doors and Windows - Verify that the fits are tight and the condition of the locks and weather-stripping is good.
• Walls, ceilings and moldings - Identify for loose portions.
• Porches and decks - Look for loose railings or steps and wood rot.
• Electrical - Review condition of fuse box or circuit breakers.
• Plumbing - Look for low water pressure, rust or corrosion spots indicating leaks, listen for banging pipes, and ensure that there is sufficient insulation.
• Water Heater - Review age, appropriate size for house and energy rating.
• Furnace and Air Conditioning - Identify age and energy rating.
• Garage - Review the exterior for good repair. Determine if the floor is cracked or stained. Make sure the door and the door mechanism is in good working order.
• Basement - Look for leakage or musty smell.
• Attic - Look for water leaks and adequate ventilation.
• Driveways/Sidewalks - Identify heaving pavement, cracks, crumbling at the edges and stains.

10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector:

1. Do you belong to the American Association of Home Inspectors?
2. Is your license fresh and valid?
3. How many inspections do you perform annually?
4. May I contact your past clients?
5. Are you having errors and omission insurance? May I also take a copy of the policy?
6. What is your work guarantee?
7. What's covered in the inspection?
8. What will the report I receive cover?
9. How long is the inspection and how quickly will I receive the report?
10. How much does the inspection cost?

Hidden Defects:

• Water leaks. Watch for stains on baseboards and ceilings.
• Shifting foundations. Watch for cracks along foundation.
• Drainage. Watch for standing water, either in the yard or around the foundation.
• Termites. Watch for grooved or weakened wood especially at ground level.
• Worn roofs. Watch for broken or missing or broken copings and buckled shingles and water stains especially in the attic.
• Inadequate wiring. Watch for old fuse boxes, numerous extension cords (an indication of insufficient outlets), and ungrounded outlets.
• Plumbing issues. Check for low water pressure and banging in pipes.

We strive to overcome your expectations.
Put Your Home Team's real estate experience to work for you!