The inspector will see if frames are secure and without rot, caulking is solid and secure, and glass is undamaged. Windows, doors, trim: If you want to keep heat in, cold out, and energy bills low, windows and doors must be in good working condition.Exterior: A home inspection checks for siding and attic cracks, rot, or decay cracking or flaking masonry near the basement cracks in stucco dents or bowing in vinyl blistering or flaking paint and adequate clearing between siding and earth, which should be a minimum of 6 inches to avoid damage from moisture (although dirt can be in contact with the cement foundation).Roof: A home inspection looks for defects related to the roof, including attic shingles, flashing, and fascia, all of which can cause ceiling drips and leaks in crawl spaces loose gutters and defects in chimneys and skylights.Structure: Is the house foundation solid? Are the sides straight? Are the window and door frames square? This part of the inspection is particularly important to a buyer who’s considering an older house.They inspect landscaping to see if trees and shrubs are in good condition (an arborist will give you a more detailed assessment), and evaluate pathways, retaining walls, sheds, and railings. Grounds: Home inspectors start the inspection by looking for current or future water issues such as standing puddles and faulty grading or downspouts.While we won’t list all 1,600, here’s a version of a typical inspection: If the problems are more than you want to handle (think faulty foundation or roof on the verge of caving in), you can walk away from the deal with your deposit in hand. Either way, it’s a win-win for potential buyers.Ī home inspection consists of a checklist of potential problems connected to your real estate. “We’ve got 1,600 different items on our list that home inspectors are supposed to look at,” says Claude McGavic, executive director of the National Association of Home Inspectors, which trains and certifies home inspectors throughout the country.Īnd a home inspection can help a buyer big-time: Provided you have a home inspection contingency in your offer, you can renegotiate with the seller to fix certain problems or to lower the price. After all, even if a house looks like it’s in great condition, appearances can be deceiving. So what does a home inspector look for in your home?Ī home inspector can check for major flaws that might need to be fixed. Hiring a home inspector to check out a house before you buy it takes time, but it can save you big money in the end.
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