If you’re planning on buying a house, you need to inspect the property before moving in. The home inspection report offers a deeper understanding of the home’s condition and whether it needs significant repairs. It can also help you prioritize repairs after moving in or request for repairs before making the final decision. A home inspection will take less than four hours to complete.
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a process of examining a property for any potential defects. The process is conducted by a professional inspector who then provides a status report outlining the significant component, current condition, and maintenance requirements. A home inspection is undertaken to reveal any problem areas in and on the home, presenting a chance to renegotiate or walk away from a deal.
An inspection is one of the best safeguards designed for home buyers or new homeowners looking to purchase. It can help protect you from several surprises in the future.
If you’re a seller and identify some minor quality defects before the inspection, you can also fix them in advance.
Home Inspection Checklist
A home inspection checklist can be valuable when planning to sell a house. The list lets you know what an inspector is going to check during the inspection. There are several components on an inspector’s checklist that will be under review. If you are working with a home inspector, ensure he or she knows what to look for in the house to give a satisfactory report.
Interior
The interior inspection looks at the walls, ceilings, and floors to ensure they are in good condition. The inspector will check for any strange odor, evidence of proper insulation, and any damages to the foundation. He/she will also check for any cracks or shifts at the base of the walls and ceiling.
Foundation, Structure, and Exterior
An inspection of the foundation will focus on whether it is in good condition. The basis of a home inspection comes down to getting the foundation adequately examined to ensure it is stable. The inspector will look at the home’s structural integrity. This includes checking for any evidence of termite damage and cracks in the structure.
On the exterior, the inspector will start by looking at the gutters and downspout to examine if they are correctly attached. Any signs of moisture or water intrusion will be checked when inspecting the attic and basement. The inspector will examine whether they are in good condition, the type of insulation used and if the attic and basement are unfinished.
A roof inspection will entail checking for any stains, dark spots, or even moss. The inspector will look for missing shingles or tiles and ask when the roof was last replaced. He/she will also look for signs of damage to the ceiling. When inspecting the windows and doors, the inspector will look for signs of misalignment, whether there are signs of moisture around the frames, and whether they open and close quickly.
Plumbing and Electrical System
The inspector will assess the water pressure inside the house and check if the fixtures work. He/she will then move to examine any signs of pipe leaks, whether pipes restrict water, and the water pump’s working conditions.
The electrical inspection will focus on whether the light switches work and if all the outlets are grounded. Furthermore, the examination will focus on the outlets, and if any outlets are not grounded. It will examine the cables to ensure they are secured and protected.
The inspection will focus on the type of heating and cooling systems you have and whether they are functional.
Bottom Line
A professional home inspector will inspect the property by looking at anything that must, should, or could be fixed. During the home inspection, the inspector will not tear the home apart to find the problem. Therefore, don’t be alarmed by the home inspection because most of the quality defects are minor.
Here at Freedom Insurance Group, we offer homeowners insurance in Philadelphia, PA, to both current and new homeowners. We hope that the above information helps you on your journey in purchasing a home, and when it comes time to choosing your home insurance, we encourage you to reach out to our team!
