Inspection Checklist

Inspection Checklist - Bathrooms

___Walls. Are there any cracks, bulges, peeling paint or wallpaper?

___Ceiling. Is there any peeling paint? Is the ceiling sagging?

___Floor. Does the floor feel level? Is there any loose or bulging linoleum? Loose flooring tiles? Are there any large stains or damaged areas?

___Lights. Test all light switches.

___Electrical outlets. Are all outlets working and anchored firmly to the walls?

___Can the windows be opened and closed easily? Are the blinds and curtains functioning?

___Exhaust Fan. Test the fan. Does it sound normal?

___Faucets, Sinks and Drains. Turn on any faucets, watching the color of the water, how long it takes for hot water to get there, and whether the sink drains easily.

___Bathtub and Shower. Does the shower work? Does the tub drain easily? Is there any damage to walls around the tub? Are there heavy mineral stains in the tub?

___Toilet. Flush the toilet to test it. Is there any dripping from valves behind the toilet? Can you still hear dripping after the tank is full?

___Mirrors. Is the mirror delaminating? Are there any cracks?

___Other.

Inspection Checklist - Attic

___Insulation. Is there sufficient insulation, and is it in good condition?

___Wires. Is the wiring updated (no bare wires on insulators)?

___Roof. Can you see light coming in through the roof anywhere? Is it sagging? Do the supports look normal and sufficient?

___Vents. Are there air vents? Are they properly screened?

___Pests. Is there any sign of animals (droppings, fur, chewed wood)?

___Other.

Inspection Checklist - Electrical

___ Mast. Is the electrical connection (the mast) attached solidly to the house? Are the wire ends bare? (They need to be re-taped.)

___Outside wires. Are any wires rubbing against the house? Is there a proper drip-loop, to keep rain water from entering into the service panel? Are the lines more than 10 feet above the ground or driveway? Are there any lines going to exterior lights? Do these lights work?

___Breaker Box. Are there breakers, and not fuses (some insurance companies won't insure a house with fuses)? Are they labeled? Are the breakers the right size (no 40 amp breakers with 30 amp wire)? Is the breaker box covered? Are any of the terminals corroded?

___Wiring. Does the wiring look normal? Is copper wire mixed with older aluminum wire? Are there any exposed splices?(These need to be in junction boxes.) Are there any wires with evidence of burning? (Fire hazard.) Is there exposed wiring? (Needs to be in conduit.) Any exposed wire ends? (Need to be capped.) Wiring in open framing (garage) is supposed to be 7 feet above the floor.

___Outlets. All should have undamaged covers. Outdoor outlets should have weather protection.

___Other.

Inspection Checklist - Basement

___Water. Is there any standing water? Are there any stains indicating there is water at times?

___Floor Joists. Do the floor beams look good (no sagging or rotting or insect damage)?

___Walls. Are there any large cracks in the walls? Do they bulge in anywhere?

___Supports. Do the supports look good? Are any of the supports new? If so, ask the seller why.

___Faucets, Sinks ad Drains. Try any faucets and rains.

___Sump Pump. Does the sump pump work?

___Floor. Are there any large cracks in the floor?

___Other.

Inspection Checklist - Fireplace

___Damper. Does the fireplace damper open and close easily?

___Structure. Are there any gaps or cracks? Is there a spark-arrester screen?

___Chimney. Is the chimney in good condition? Are the bricks coming apart? Is the chimney pulling away from the house? Is there creosote build-up?

___Other.

Inspection Checklist - All The Rest

___Entry. Is the entry well lit? Is there any damage to the floor or walls?

___Furnace. Is the furnace working (turn down the thermostat to get it to turn on)? Does the fan sound smooth when it's on? Is the flame blue (best) or orange? (Yellow is a problem.) Are the ducts firmly attached? Is there any smell of gas?

___Water Heater. Is the hot water hot? Is the water heater in good condition? Is there any staining around it that indicates leakage? Are any of the fitting rusting? Is there a water shut-off valve?

___Crawl space. Are the crawl spaces big enough to actually crawl in? When you look into them, is there any standing water? is there any sagging in the floorboards, or any damage?

___Stairways. Are the stairs comfortable and safe for walking on? Any loose steps? Any broken edges?

___Air Conditioning. Turn on the air conditioning to see if it works. Is the drainage causing any stains or damage?

Cheap Homes continues with Chapter 21 here: Checklist For Moving