Home Inspection Checklist

No house is perfect. Not even the brand new ones. To avoid selecting a property with issues, looking for big-ticket items when previewing properties with your agent is important to make the investment worth it. 

A home inspection checklist is a valuable tool to help look at and document certain features of the home when previewing. Do note that a home inspection checklist should not be mistaken as a report, nor should it be a substitute for a professional home inspection. Rather, it is a way to document the features and issues of the homes you are considering that will help you compare these homes at the end of the day.

Here’s an example of items that should be included in a home inspection checklist that you can take to the previewing of homes that you are considering:

Here’s a home inspection checklist. Download the list here.

THE BIG PICTURE

Take the time to check out the neighboring houses that were constructed around the same time as yours. This will give you a general idea of the condition of your house and pay attention to the severity of major issues as some of these can be deal-breakers.

ROOF

A simple visual evaluation of the roof may suffice. 

• Check for any damage present, such as broken tiles or missing shingles.
• Are there any obvious patches?
• Check the chimney and flashing. Are there any missing and damaged bricks, and cracked joints?
• Check the attic. Is there adequate ventilation and insulation?
• Check the gutters and downspouts? Are they attached securely to the structure? Are there any signs of bending or sagging?
• Check for any wood rots as well as other roof penetrations too.

FLOORS 

• Check the type of flooring material.
• Are there any stains or signs of damages?
• Will any need restoration or replacement?
• For wooden floors, you can test exposed areas by gently prodding with a flat screwdriver. Soft areas can be tell-tale signs of wet or dry rot.

WALLS

• Check that interior and exterior walls are level. Are they bowed, sagged, bulging, or leaning?
• Are there any cracks? Note that these may be caused by several factors, from shoddy construction to inevitable movement over time.
• Are there any flaking or mismatched paint?
• What is the condition of the wall coverings?
• For brick walls, check for any breaks or spaces.
• Note what insulation type is installed in the walls. Is there adequate insulation behind the walls?

CEILINGS

• Are the ceilings straight and intact?
• Are there any stains or signs of previous water damage from leaks?
• Will any of the ceilings need repainting?
• What type of insulation is installed in the ceilings?
• Note any significant cracks.

WINDOWS and DOORS

• How is the condition of the windows and doors? Do they operate and latch well?
• Do the window and door frames appear square?
• Are the frame joints caulked or insulated?
• Are there any cracks, rot, or decay?
• If any locks are present, do they work?
• Do the windows and doors have weather-stripping? What kind? Are they in good condition?

BATHROOM and KITCHEN

• Are all plumbing fixtures and faucets secure?
• Are there cracks on the fixtures?
• Is there adequate water flow and pressure at all fixtures?
• Do the sinks, tubs, and showers drain properly?
• Note the condition of the tubs and shower tiles.
• Note any leak, rust, unusual noises, or other signs of neglect.

ELECTRICAL

When testing electrical elements, make sure that all necessary safety measures are taken. 

• Is there any open wiring?
• Are the fuses or breakers overheating?
• Ensure that cables are secure and safe.
• Check all electrical receptacles and switches for functionality.
• When was the last time the heating and cooling (HVAC) system was inspected?
• Were there any upgrades lately?
• No home is complete without appliances. Check all appliances if they are all working properly.

HVAC SYSTEM

Inspect and determine if the system has been serviced lately. Look for upkeep by the owner, is their dust, dirt around the system, are air vents dusty/dirty.

WATER HEATER

The water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home and often, taken for granted. When looking at the water heater, is there evidence of rust, any leaking at the top or the bottom of the water heater? Cracks? Does it make noises? Do you notice smelly water or discolored water?

For many good reasons, a home inspection checklist can be a valuable tool to help make previewing many properties more organized so you know what features and issues went with which home. This information may later help to decide which home to choose to make an offer on which will likely prevent a lot of stress.

Click here to download and print our Atlanta Home Inspection Checklist. Print and take one to each home your preview so you can jot down the things you find during the previewing of the home. This way you can keep track and know which home has what features and/or issues.