Foreclosure Home Inspection Checklist
How can you do home inspection yourself?
You need a professional home inspection to make sure that the property that you plan to buy is free from defects and deficiencies. You may conduct your own inspection if your have time and an access to subject house.
Here's a listing of items that you may want to check on your own.
Building site inspection of foreclosure home
- Grading status
- Ground (debris-free, no abnormal inclination?)
- Slope (away from home?)
- Roof condition (no apparent damage?)
- Foundation (no water pool, wet area?)
- Drainage (away from the property)
- Siding condition (no damage or hole?)
- Windows (no broken glass?)
- Doors (secure?)
- Carport/Garage (in good shape?)
- Driveway condition (any pot holes or cracks?)
- Deck/Porch
- Paint (new, fainted, scratched?)
- Door and window screens (in good condition?)
- Soffit and fascia
- Chimney, if any
- Stairs (any damage to wood sections?)
- Lawn (well-maintained?)
- Trees, plants, and shrubs
- Driveway and sidewalks
Roof and attic inspection of foreclosure home
- Ventilation (any closed vents?)
- Insulation (properly placed?)
- Floor (watch out soft spots!)
- Lighting (adequate?)
- Wiring (no extension cords, open wires?)
- Air ducts (good ventilation?)
- Roof material (sounds strong enough?)
- Rafters (any wood destroying insects?)
- Ceiling (no light coming from the outside?)
- Joists (well secured?)
- Mold or termite damage?
Garage and carport inspection of foreclosure property
- Walls (no cracks or holes?)
- Floor (wet, odor?)
- Ceiling (any sign of water leak?)
- Doors (close tightly?)
- Windows (sealed, no cracks?)
- Lighting (sufficient?)
- Heating and air-conditioning
- Paint
- Roof
Electrical system inspection of foreclosure home
- Riser in good condition?
- Electrical meter (no damage?)
- Service panel (no empty space?)
- Capacity (up to 200 Amps?)
- Circuit breakers (marked for appliances?)
- Lighting and wiring
Plumbing system inspection of foreclosure home
- Water supply valve
- Hot water adjusted
- Heater (any rust?)
- Toilets (flushing fine?)
- Sinks, tub and showers
- Water pressure adequate?
Heating and air conditioning inspection of foreclosure home
- Natural gas/Fuel oil?
- Central heating and air-conditioning operating properly?
- Any window or wall unit? Noise level?
- Ducts and vents
- Condenser unit in good shape?
- Heat pump (any rusting?)
Kitchen inspection of foreclosure house
- Floors, walls, and ceilings
- Doors and windows
- Lighting and electrical outlets
- Sink (operational?)
- Plumbing
- Cabinets (no molding?)
- Countertops (any cracks, chipping?)
- Refrigerator (cold enough inside?)
- Oven (clean and working?)
- Ceramic tile (no chipping or cracks?)
- Paint
- Molding status
Bathrooms inspection of foreclosed home
- Floors, walls, and ceilings
- Doors and windows
- Lighting and electrical outlets
- Tubs and showers
- Toilets
- Ceramic tiles (no molding?)
- Ventilation (enough?)
- Mirrors (no damage?)
- Paint (any water damage?)
Dining room inspection of foreclosure homes
- Floor, walls, and ceiling
- Doors and windows
- Lighting and electrical outlets
- Paint condition
- Carpet condition and molding
Living room inspection of foreclosure property
- Floor, walls, and ceiling
- Doors and windows
- Lighting and electrical outlets
- Paint condition
- Carpet condition and molding
Bedrooms inspection of foreclosure home
- Floor, walls, and ceiling
- Doors and windows
- Lighting and electrical outlets
- Paint condition
- Carpet condition and molding
What do you need to conduct a home inspection?
You need some home inspection tools to check the electrical systems (voltage, amperage, polarity), possible gas leakage, temperature, humidity, measurements, screwdriver, binoculars, and personal protection tools during your home inspection.