A Quick Home Inspection Checklist

With home prices dropping in many areas, home inspectors are finding more and more homes which are less maintained today than they were in the past.  Home buyers are cautioned to keep this in mind when searching for a home, and use this quick home inspection list as a reference when looking at property:

EXTERIOR
Check the operation of the windows and screens?
Has water been stopped from accumulating near the building?
Check doors, decks, siding, windows & fences for damage / deterioration?
Are there any signs of water infiltration from the roof, siding or windows?
Are there any signs of gutter or downspout problems?
Are the downspouts discharging water away from the foundation?
Has the soil around the home been pitched away from the foundation?

INTERIOR
Have all the areas listed in the home inspection report as inaccessible or not traversed been accessed & professionally inspected to determine if defects exist?
Do the garage doors and their openers function?
Was the reversing devices for the garage door openers tested?
Did you find out why any stains or cracks on any of the walls or ceilings that have become larger or have appeared since the time of the home inspection?    
Have all cracked windows or mirrors been repaired?
Have all the clouded double pane windows been replaced?
Are all the permanently installed fixtures or appliances been in place and in good condition?
Are there any signs of birds, rodents or animals?
Has any damage to damage to the walls, floor or ceilings been repaired?

PLUMBING
Do the plumbing fixture faucets leak or drip?
Are the plumbing fixtures chipped or damaged?
Was water for a time through all plumbing fixtures and check for leakage?    
Was water for a time through all plumbing fixtures and check for stoppage?

ELECTRICAL
Are all the light fixtures are all in place?
Do the light fixtures, switches and receptacles all function?
Does the door bell work?

HEATING AND COOLING
Do the thermostat, heating and cooling systems function?
Is there adequate air flow through the heating and cooling registers?
Did all the radiators or convectors get warm in a reasonable amount of time?

KITCHEN
Do all the appliances function properly?
Are the counter tops or cabinets damaged?
Do the cabinets and drawers operate?

In the end, remember, never buy a home without having a professional home inspector review things under the microscope.