Home Inspection Checklist | Buffalo, NY
No house is perfect. Not even the brand new ones. To avoid selecting a property with issues, looking for big-ticket items when previewing properties with your agent is important to make the investment worth it.
A home inspection checklist is a valuable tool to help look at and document certain home features when previewing. Note that a home inspection checklist should not be mistaken as a report, nor should it be a substitute for a professional home inspection. Rather, it is a way to document features and issues of the homes you are considering to help you compare these homes at the end of the day.
Here’s an example of items that should be included in a home inspection checklist that you can take to the previewing of homes that you are considering:
THE BIG PICTURE
Take the time to check out the homes in the neighborhood constructed around the same time as the home you’re previewing. This will give you a general idea of the condition of your house. Pay attention to big-ticket items like the roof, siding, and foundation. The severity of major issues that can be seen are items that can be deal-breakers.
ROOF
A simple visual evaluation of the roof should be good but pay attention to:
Any noticeable damage such as broken tiles or missing shingles.
Noticeable or obvious roof patches/repairs?
Are you able to observe the chimney and to flash? Can you tell if there are missing and damaged bricks, siding or do you notice cracked joints?
Check the gutters and downspouts? Are they attached securely to the home and damaged in any way? Are there any signs of bending or sagging?
Check for noticeable wood rot or other roof penetrations.
SIDING
There is a lot of siding on a home, and we recommend taking a pen and pad of paper with you to log any damage you may see as well at its location.
Depending on the type of siding, you could be looking for wood rot, and nail pops, cracks, open joints, bricks falling away from the side, peeling paint, loose boards, or panels. Anything that doesn’t look correct needs to be noted.
FOUNDATION
Does the foundation appear to be in good condition? Are there damaged bricks, masonry or cracks in the concrete or blocks? Do you notice any flaking components?
Check for noticeable foundation and supporting wall issues. Is there evidence of bowing, bulging, or other irregularities?
For wooden components, are there signs or indications of damage from insect or termite infestation or rot?
Are there large trees growing near the property’s foundation?
FLOORS
What flooring materials are used? Carpet, hardwood, tile. Stone?
Are there stains or signs of damage?
Will the floor need to be repaired, restored, or replaced?
WALLS
Check the interior and exterior walls. Are they bowed, sagged, bulging, or leaning?
Are there cracks? Note that breaks in the wall may be caused by several factors, from shoddy construction to inevitable movement over time.
Is there any flaking or mismatched paint?
What is the condition of the wall covering?
For brick walls, check for any loose brick, cracks in mortar or spaces.
CEILINGS
Are the ceilings smooth and intact?
Are there stains or signs of previous water damage?
Will any of the ceilings need repainting? Repaired?
Note any significant cracks.
WINDOWS and DOORS
Check out the condition of the windows and doors? Do they operate and latch?
Do the window and door frames appear square?
Are the frame joints caulked and well painted? Chipping paint?
Are there any cracks, rot, or decay?
Do the locks work?
Do the windows and doors have weather-stripping? Are they in good condition?
KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS
Are the plumbing fixtures or faucets loose?
Are there cracks on the fixtures? Is it broken down caulking?
Is there adequate water flow and water pressure at all fixtures?
Do the sinks, tubs, and showers drain properly?
Note the condition of the tubs and shower tiles.
Are the commodes loose on the floor?
Note any leaking, rust, unusual noises when running the water or draining, or any other signs of neglect.
ELECTRICAL
When testing electrical elements, make sure that all necessary safety measures are taken.
Are there indications of exposed wiring?
Are cables secured and protected?
Can you tell if the fuses or breakers are overheating?
Test electrical receptacles and switches for functionality.
When was the last time the heating and cooling (HVAC) system was inspected and or Serviced?
Have upgrades been done?
No home is complete without appliances. Check that all devices are working properly.
HVAC SYSTEM
Inspect and determine if the system has been serviced lately. Look for upkeep by the owner, is there dust, dirt around the system, are air vents dusty/dirty.
WATER HEATER
The water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home and often taken for granted. When looking at the water heater, is there evidence of rust, any leaking at the top or the bottom of the water heater? Cracks? Does it make noises? Do you notice smelly water or discolored water?
For many good reasons, a home inspection checklist can be a valuable tool to help make previewing many properties more organized, so you know what features and issues went with which home. This information may later help decide which home to choose to make an offer on, which will likely prevent a lot of stress.
Download and print our Home Inspection Buffalo, NY Checklist. Print and take one to each home your preview so you can jot down the things you find during the previewing of the house. This way, you can keep track and know which home has what features or issues.
Allow Mack Property Inspections To Perform Your Home Inspection in Buffalo, NY Today!
Buffalo, NY is known to be the City of Good Neighbors, a great place to live in with plenty to offer for residents. With its current metro area population of over 885,000, Buffalo, NY has established itself in rising through the US economic ranks for its efforts in rapid development.
Whether you’re starting a career, raising a family, or looking to retire, Buffalo, NY is among the best places that people of all ages and from all walks of life call home. And Mack Property Inspections will be there to make your home buying decision worthwhile.
Boasting over 20-years of top performance in the trades and home inspections, Scott Mack and his team of professionals employ their extensive knowledge of the industry following NYS Home Inspector Code of Ethics and InterNACHI Standards of Practice. Our certified home inspectors at Mack Property Inspections aim to provide quality services with your best interests in mind so that making your home purchase will be a smooth and successful journey.
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