Your Home Inspection Checklist: Don't Overlook These Red Flags

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, so it's important to know what you're getting into before you sign on the dotted line House Inspections Caroline Springs can reveal many potential problems with your new property and give you an opportunity to negotiate, but it doesn't catch everything. 

The following list includes the biggest red flags that the inspector will likely miss unless you ask them about them. Are you buying from sellers who overlook these things? If not, then they might just be perfect for you!

The driveway, walkway, patio, and stoop

There are many items that can jeopardize the results of a home inspection. The location of your house should be inspected for dangerous trees, sloping driveways, weed control, and access to the power supply. Make sure that there are at least five feet of clear approach on both sides of all doors. 

Walking through all doors and inspecting the condition of the stairs and stairs should also be included in an inspection. Inspect any visible structural components, look for peeling paint or surfaces not level with each other, worn thresholds or door stops; these are potential indications that you may need to replace some trim work soon. 

Not having proper water drainage can lead to flooding damage which will cost you more money in repairs down the road.

The Foundation

Understand that a home inspection can point out small but critical things. For example, small cracks in the foundation can be an indication of more serious structural problems, and metal piping can corrode after only two years. 

To prevent surprises like these, take care when reviewing your home inspection checklist before the inspection. House inspections are an easy way to protect your largest investment!

The roof

Make sure the roof has a downspout at the front and one at the back. Make sure it drains away from the house, not into it. The shingles should be nailed on tight with no gaps in between. If you need to fix any damaged areas, have it done before the inspection to avoid surprises.

The electrical system

Inspect the electrical system for any signs of trouble. Your home Building Inspector Caroline Springs should look for anything during House Inspections Caroline Springs that is frayed, broken, loose, or otherwise damaged and make a note of it. Not only will this help ensure you avoid the need to call an electrician down the line, but it could also save your life if a fire were to start in your home. 

Do inspect all outlets and switches to make sure they work with a plug or light bulb. The outlet should create a small spark when pressed with two fingers and turn off when you let go.

Conclusion

A well-done home inspection should take at least an hour, during which the inspector will closely examine the house's exterior. The interior will then be carefully inspected to look for things like faulty wiring, water stains on the ceiling and other warning signs. If there are major issues found by the inspector, they can give you a detailed report that you can use to present your case when negotiating with the seller. 

Even minor problems should be addressed right away by either hiring a contractor or looking up DIY solutions online. Otherwise, you'll end up spending more money on repair down the line - and who wants that? With a little bit of effort and research, many of these problems can be avoided before they happen - so don't overlook any red flags!