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Home
Inspection
Information and Checklist
Realty
Executives has discovered that most complaints in the real estate industry come
from homebuyers after the close of escrow.
Most of those complaints are about previously undetected property
conditions. In short, buyers
don’t like being surprised by hidden defects.
For
this reason, most homes sold undergo an inspection.
The typical inspection does not cover cosmetics such as clean carpets and
fresh paint. It does cover the
functionality, safety and livability of your home.
Inspections are not intrusive (no holes punched in your walls). The typical home inspection covers the exterior: structure,
roof, pool, all outside equipment, sprinkler system, garage door and the
interior: electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, windows, kitchen
appliances, bathroom fixtures. It
will take an estimated hour for every 1,000 square feet for the inspector to
complete the process. The buyer may
also choose to perform more than just the overall home inspection.
It is not uncommon for the buyer to perform separate pool, roof, HVAC,
electrical and plumbing inspections. Basically,
if kept within the contractual time constraints, the buyer may perform whatever
inspections are felt necessary.
You
may want to consider having your home inspected at the time you list it.
Pre-inspected homes typically sell faster from offer to escrow – an
average of ten days quicker. With a
home inspection report in hand, we can determine in advance which items you
would be willing to address. Plus,
you’ll have a better sense that your “price” is in line with the overall
condition of the property. It is
also very important to accurately complete the Seller’s Property Disclosure
Statement (“SPDS”) you were given and return it to us as soon as possible.
This document must be given to the buyer within five days of contract
acceptance.
Please
keep in mind that lines 271. through 275. of the purchase contract read:
“Seller
Warranties: Seller warrants and
shall maintain and/or repair the Premises so that, at the earlier of possession
or Close of Escrow, all heating, cooling, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical
systems (including swimming pool and/or spa, motors, filter systems, cleaning
systems, and heaters, if any), free-standing range/oven, and built-in appliances
will be in working condition. Seller
also warrants that, at the earlier of possession or Close of Escrow, the
Premises shall be in substantially the same condition as on the date of the
acceptance of this Contract.”
As
you put your home on the market, here are some things you can do to improve the
presentation of your property. These
mini-projects should all be done prior to a home inspection (preferably even
before your home is listed). If you
choose not to complete these common maintenance projects, be aware that you may
be asked to complete them by a potential buyer.
Home
Inspection Checklist
___________
Air Filters
Change
them. Dirty filters affect the
performance of the heating/cooling system.
Consider having the unit serviced and cleaned so that it will operate
properly when tested by the inspector(s).
___________
Doors
They
should latch and lock (if a lock has been installed).
___________
Extension Cord or Handyman Wiring
If
you’ve been inventing your own wiring out on the patio or in the garage, it
can be a negative issue. If any
wiring is exposed, it should be in a conduit, a junction box or sealtite to
protect it.
___________
Faucets and Pipes
Check
all indoor/outdoor faucets and pipes for drips and leaks.
___________
Faucet Valves
The
hot water valve should be on the left side and the cold water should be on the
right. If your faucet has a
hot/cold water valve, it should move toward the left (clockwise) for hot water
and toward the right (counter-clockwise) for cold water.
___________
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)
Test
each GFCI in your house by pushing the “Test” button.
This turns the power off to the outlet.
Plug in an appliance to make sure. Press
the reset button and the appliance should then work.
Older homes may not have GFCI’s, but if you do, they should work
properly.
___________
Pool, Pool Filters, Pool Lights, Pool Pump
Check
for cracks and rust in the pool plaster. Make
sure the pipes and filters are not leaking and that all gauges work. Ensure that the pool lights work.
___________
Roof
Any
missing shingles or tiles should be replaced.
Any flashing should be resealed as necessary.
___________
Toilet
Check
for leaks and cracks in the toilet bowl and tank.
Make sure the toilet is firmly bolted to the floor.
___________
Window Panes and Seal
Check
each window for cracked panes or broken seals (dual-pane windows).
___________
Warranties and Utility Bills
Gather together all warranties and representative copies of all utility
bills.
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