There are several steps in the home buying process, but some have the same impact as home inspections.

When you make an offer for a home, you may think you know everything you need to know about the property. However, a professional home inspection can give home buyers the much-needed reassurance by choosing any potential issues before closing a home. Read on to find out more about home inspection and our home inspection checklist!

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual inspection of the body structure and systems of a home. If problems are found during an inspection, you can negotiate with the seller to reduce the price of the house or arrange for repairs before closing. If the home has a major issue and you are unable to negotiate a lower buying price or reach an agreement with the seller, you may decide to cancel the sale.

A home inspection is completely different from a home appraisal. An appraisal is a calculation of how much your property is worth.

Home Inspection Checklist

The ultimate home inspection checklist for buyers will help you prepare what to look for during a home inspection. Be observant – not just what you see, but what you smell or hear. Here is the checklist for home buyers. 

Be Present During the Inspection 

The foremost thing you have to do is simple: just show up. 

While you may not actually need to be, attending the inspection allows you to diagnose any potential complications in advance.

During your inspection, you may plan to complete some necessary tasks such as measuring the windows and figuring out where to place your furniture. However, it is always better to ask your inspector to diagnose any serious problems.

Create a List of Things You Want to Inspect 

The home inspector generally has their own checklist to inspect. You should review their list, and you should be hiring them based on the priority. 

You should not rely solely on the inspector’s checklist. It is very essential that you have a home buyer’s checklist. There may be a good amount of overlap between your list and the inspector list.

If you need some help doing brainwashing, here are some things to add:

  • Roof 
  • Attic 
  • Gutters and downspouts
  • Eaves, soffits, and fascia
  • Exterior bricks, paint, stones 
  • Balconies, steps, decks, porches, stairs, and railings  
  • Foundation 
  • Crawl space or basement 
  • Garage 
  • Windows and doors 
  • Ceilings, walls, and floors 
  • Wiring, working switches, outlets, circuit breakers
  • All appliances 

Not Included in House Inspection 

Usually, any customizations or accessories for the home are not the responsibility of the home inspector. It includes wallpaper, finishings, window treatments, renewable energy sources like solar panels, and freestanding structures such as playgrounds and swimming pools.

Apart from that, some essential safety risks are not included in the part of the general home inspection. You have to hire a qualified home inspector who is qualified to assess the specific risk.

  • Lead-based paint
  • Water quality
  • Radon gas
  • Termites 
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Soil conditions or erosion control measures
  • Insects (Rodents, pests, etc.) 

How to Get a Home Inspection 

You can easily find a professional home inspector. For you, we’ve listed some of the certified home inspection organizations.  

  • Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
  • American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
  • International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)