Buying your first property is sure to be fun and exciting! Nothing beats the excitement of knowing you’ve rewarded yourself with an investment of a lifetime.
As easy and delightful home-buying may sound, it also requires some work that you as a buyer need to accomplish. Keep in mind that you need to do a couple of things before signing that deal and finally purchasing a home. One of which is a home inspection.
In a home inspection, you can either do this by yourself or hire a professional home inspector to do the job for you. Experts like OpenHouse explains the procedure precisely and will thoroughly check the property, from the outside to the inside, and assess its current condition. They will also produce a report stating the property’s repairs to ensure a more convenient and efficient living.
Some buyers tend to disregard this idea, thinking that this will just be an additional expense. But, as a responsible buyer, one should realize that doing so will help you save yourself from paying an overpriced amount and shell out a more extensive expense for the repairs and renovation down the line.
If you’re buying a home or at least planning to, check out the 10-item home inspection checklist for buying your first property.
Exterior Of The Property
In every home inspection, you should always include the exterior part of the property in the assessment. Here are the following outside areas that you need to keep an eye on:
- Roof
Roofs are usually too high for errors to be seen, but you need to include them in your inspection. Ensure that the roof shingles aren’t broken and don’t miss a panel. Gutters should show no decay and must drain adequately. If the property happens to have a chimney, it should appear straight and intact.
- Wall
The outside walls are usually repaired to have an excellent curb appeal. However, never rely on how it appears from afar. It’s way better to take a closer look and assess them. The home foundation and walls should appear satisfactory without significant cracks or sagging.
- Plumbing and Drainage
One of the most important things to check on the outside is the house’s plumbing system towards the community line. Ensure that you see no evidence of leaks both with the waterline and the septic tank. Drainage must be excellent without leaving any standing water. There should also be accessible crawl spaces whenever repairs are needed.
- Lawn And Garage
If you’re purchasing a home with a lawn, it should be appropriately maintained. Fences should be in good condition with no broken parts where outsiders or stray animals can access the house. If there happens to be a detached garage or a shed, it must appear in excellent condition, having no traces of rotted wood or termites.
Interior Of The Property
Aside from the exterior, remember that the interior is as important. Here’s the set of things that you need to check on the inside of the house.
- Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in a house. Make sure that it’s in its best shape. There should be no water damage in the under-sink plumbing with good sink drainage. An exhaust fan that vents to the outside must also be present and working. If built-in appliances are present, they must be operating correctly.
- Bathroom
You should check this area thoroughly as this is also one of the essential areas in every home. Because water is involved massively in the bathroom, plumbing should be at its finest, with no signs of water damage. Good water pressure is also a plus, especially for hot and cold fixtures. Tubs, shower floors, and sinks must drain fast and smooth. The toilet seat must be stable, with no stains, and should flush and fill appropriately.
- Bedrooms
You must also check all rooms. Ensure that all floors, ceilings, and walls don’t have visible stains, cracks, or damage. Secure that the doors and windows can be quickly opened and latches when closed. Light fixtures and their switches must also correctly operate. There must also be good heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in every room. If the rooms are located on the second floor, make sure that the stairway treads and risers are solid and stable.
- Electrical System
For safety and convenience, you should also check the electrical system properly. Wiring must be in excellent condition, with no susceptible electrical splices and securely protected cables. The service panel must also have a standard capacity, with properly attached cables.
- Heat And Cooling System
The HVAC system is a home essential. Therefore, they must operate well. The air filters must be clean and in good condition. Ensure that tube and the unit itself has no leaks or any visible rusts. The flues must have no exposed seams and produces no gas odor.
- Plumbing System
Water can pretty much damage every appliance and home furniture. Therefore, you need to make sure that the property’s plumbing system is well maintained and requires no repair. Check that the pipes don’t have marks of leaks or rust. The water pressure must also fall within the accepted range, and the hot water temperature must not go beyond 125°Fahrenheit for safety.
Conclusion
There you have it, the 10 things that you need to check before buying a property. Note that these are essential points that you need to assess to ensure a hassle-free move. It’ll also make sure that you won’t have to face an additional expense down the line.
If you notice any damage to the property, you can always tell the seller about it and suggest changes in the price or the terms. This way, you’ll have the sweetest deal and the perfect house that you deserve.