The first step in preparing your home for an inspection is to create a “To-Do” list. This would be an ideal time to get a Home Seller Inspection to have a professional evaluation of the home’s current condition. Having the property inspected by a licensed inspector prior to putting it on the market will provide a list of specific deficiencies which can be addressed prior to placing the home for sale.
Should you decide to forego a professional inspection and create your own “To-Do” list, it will be helpful to have a checklist to guide you through the process. Many of the items on the checklist are regular monthly or seasonal maintenance items for a home and can be accomplished with little to no expense. Other items may require the use of a qualified contractor. Correcting any potential deficiencies prior to a perspective buyer having an inspection performed should greatly reduce the number of findings and give the buyer greater confidence in purchasing the home.
The following checklist is designed to provide information to assist you in preparing your home for an inspection but it is by no means inclusive of all of the items that will be evaluated during a professional inspection, nor does it replace the need for a professional inspection.
Exterior of the Home
__ Repair any mortar cracks in the brick veneer.
__ Seal around penetrations in exterior walls (AC lines, cleanouts, hose bibs, vents, electrical receptacles, etc.)
__ Repair or replace any wood rot (window & door trim, siding, chimney trim, fascia & soffit, etc.)
__ Caulk around trim, windows and doors. Paint if needed.
__ Trim trees, shrubs away from exterior walls & A/C condensing unit.
__ Remove any debris, rotting wood, firewood, or stored items from contact with house.
__ Repair any damaged or missing weather stripping around doors.
__ Replace any missing or damaged window screens.
__ Repair any broken, cracked or fogged windows.
__ Do all exterior lights & electrical outlets work?
__ Replace any burned out light bulbs.
__ Tighten any loose electrical outlets or switches.
__ Replace any missing or damaged electrical outlet or switch covers.
__ Test all GFCI receptacles, if present.
__ Is outside HVAC unit level?
__ Is the exterior A/C condensing unit(s) fins clean?
__ Repair any leaking or dripping hose bibs.
__ Have exterior hose bibs been upgraded to anti-siphon?
__ Remove crawl space vent covers.
__ Add dirt backfill to any low areas around the perimeter of the foundation.
__ Check that crawlspace is dry (If applicable). Resolve any moisture issues.
__ Remove soil or mulch from contact with siding or brick.
__ Clean out dirty gutters.
__ Divert all water away from house: downspouts, etc. Grade should slope away from structure.
__ Place gutter splash guards under downspouts.
__ Repair any loose/lifted flashings on the roof.
__ Seal any exposed nails on the roof.
__ Cut back any tree limbs that overhang the roof.
__ Replace any missing/damaged shingles.
__ Does sprinkler system have a working rain/freeze sensor?
__ Are sprinkler heads spraying against the structure?
__ Are all swimming pool/spa components/equipment accessible and in working order?
Interior of the Home
__ Make sure attic access ladder is in good working order.
__ Add attic ventilation if none is present.
__ Repair any damaged sheetrock (wall & ceiling).
__ Make sure all door hardware is in working order.
__ Repair any doors that do not latch or stick in the frame.
__ Repair/replace any water damaged window sills.
__ Repair/replace any broken window locks.
__ Have chimney & fireplace professionally cleaned if dirty.
__ Make sure all fireplace components are in working order (damper, screen, doors, etc.)
__ Do all interior lights & electrical outlets work?
__ Replace any burned out light bulbs.
__ Replace any missing or damaged electrical outlets or switch covers.
__ Tighten any loose outlets or switches.
__ Test all GFCI receptacles, if present.
__ Make sure smoke detectors are installed in each sleeping room, outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms and the living space of each story.
__ Test all smoke detectors. Install CO detectors if present.
__ It is recommended to have the HVAC system cleaned and serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor prior to any inspection.
__ Replace any dirty filters and clean dirty air supply/return registers.
__ Repair any leaking or dripping plumbing fixtures.
__ Clear any slow or clogged drains.
__ Replace any drain stops that do not hold water.
__ Check that toilets are secure to the floor.
__ Caulk or re-grout any cracks in bath or shower.
__ Check bathroom/utility room exhaust fans to ensure that they are in working order and exhaust to exterior of building.
__ Remedy any hot/cold lines that are reversed at kitchen & bath sinks, showers or bathtubs (hot water is supposed to be on the left).
__ Caulk around all tub/shower fixtures.
__ Is there a drain pan located under the water heater.
__ Is the Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve plumbed to the exterior?
__ Make sure flue pipe is secure to top of Water Heater.
__ Does dishwasher complete a full cycle and water drains?
__ Make sure all dishwasher baskets are present with no visible rust and rollers are not broken.
__ Does dishwasher spray arm operate? Does soap door open and shut properly? Does drying element work?
__ Is dishwasher secured to cabinet?
__ Is food disposer free of debris?
__ Replace food disposer if any signs of rust, corrosion, or leaking.
__ Are Range Hood and Exhaust Systems in working condition?
__ Are all cooktop burners working?
__ Replace/repair any damaged or missing control knobs, reflector pans, lights, etc. on range, cooktop or oven.
__ Does range have an anti-tip device installed?
__ Does oven work in bake & broil settings?
__ Is microwave oven in working condition?
__ Make sure dryer vents to exterior.
__ Make sure dryer vent cap is free of lent.
__ Make sure exterior dryer vent cap has a flapper instead of a screen.
***Please note that even though this material is general in nature, the knowledge, skill and experience required to follow any of this material varies. If you are in doubt as to your ability to properly and safely implement these suggestions, please call a qualified professional. Every home system and appliance is different as are the problems that can affect them. This checklist, while designed to be helpful in identifying deficiencies which are common in a home, it is not a complete checklist of possible defects that may occur in any given property.
ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
