realtyreport
Be Prepared
Whether you're having a seller's inspection done before your house goes on the market or an interested buyer has commissioned an inspection, you can preemptively address any problems by knowing what the inspector will look for.
- Your roof will be examined for missing, loose or deteriorated shingles; moist or rotted elements under the shingles; leaking gutters; and downspouts not positioned to direct water away from the house. Your chimney's flashing should be watertight and its bricks and mortar in good condition.
- Exterior walls and foundation will be checked for cracks and your grading should slope away from the house. Your garage doors will be opened and closed, and your garage checked for proper ventilation.
- The condition of plumbing pipes will be assessed and the inspector will check for leaks, clogs and water pressure by running faucets, flushing toilets and testing appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
- Your kitchen and bathrooms should have ground-fault circuit interrupters, and your electrical panel and circuit breaker confi guration will be examined.
- Your HVAC system will be investigated to determine the age of its components and to establish whether they work properly or are in need of repair.
- Doors, window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences will be probed for rotting wood, and any evidence of termites. The inspector will also check that your house has basic safety features: proper locks on windows and patio doors; deadbolts on doors; smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
- Your attic will be checked for ventilation, insulation and vapor-barrier problems resulting in moisture, mold and mildew. Basement walls and floors will be examined for mildew and signs of dampness.
