What to expect for a home inspection

It’s all going so perfectly. You’ve been approved, you found the home of your dreams, the seller accepted your offer and you feel set to move in! Not so fast, though. Sure, this is one of the most exciting financial milestones, but before the sale becomes final, you have to complete one of the most important steps in the homebuying journey: the inspection.

While a certified inspector will be the one actually performing the inspection, it’s always good to know what they might be looking for. You can even take a peek yourself if you want! Let’s go over some of the things included in the inspection so you can clear what feels like yet another hurdle and sleep well at night in your brand-new bedroom.

Grounds

A proper home inspection starts at the ground level. To make sure the grounds of your future house are good to go, the inspector might check on:

• Foundation: The inspector will note significant cracks and make sure there’s no noticeable damage.
• Septic tank: There should be no leaks and standing water around the tank.
• Drainage: Standing water and buildup near the home can be signs of poor drainage.
• Plumbing access: Pipes should be accessible so you can make repairs.

Exterior

Next up is the exterior of the home. Specifically, this can include:

• Walls: They should be straight with no evidence of sagging or water damage.
• Windows: They should have no cracks and are square.
• Door frames: No rotting should be present, and they should be square.
• Siding: It should have no cracks or damage.
• Bricks: Any cracks and joints within the home’s bricks should be noted.
• Paint: While you can always repaint, flaking and staining can be signs of more serious issues.
• Garage: Rotting in the garage or evidence of termites can be major red flags.

Roof

When you buy a home, you’re literally putting a roof over your head. Your inspector will make sure that roof is move-in ready by checking things like:

• Shingles: No shingles should be missing or damaged.
• Gutters: They should drain properly and have no decay.
• Chimneys: They should be straight and have no damage.

Interior

Once inside, the inspector will take a good look at things like:

• Floors: They should have no visible stains, cracks or damage.
• Walls: Walls should also be free of significant damage or cracks.
• Ceilings: Ceilings should be straight and damage-free.
• Lights: Fixtures should be properly installed and wired, and switches should be operational.
• Electrical outlets: There should be an adequate number of working outlets in each room.
• Vents: All rooms should have vents in working condition.
• Smoke detectors: Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be operational and properly placed.
• Stairs: If your home has them, they should be solid and structurally sound.
• Fireplace: There should be no staining or cracking.

Basement

While basements are rare in Arizona, they’re still a major part of any house that has one. When inspecting the basement, here are some of the things the inspector might look for:

• Moisture: Dark, moist spots can cause long-term damage.
• Water damage: Water damage should not be present, especially in the floors.
• Exposed foundation: Any stains, cracks, flaking or other damage could require serious repair.
• Insulation: Proper installation and sufficient coverage can keep your house at a normal temperature.

Attic

Sometimes an afterthought, the attic is a crucial for keeping you safe, providing you storage and giving you access to the bones of your home. The inspector will look at things like:

• Rotting and staining: Again, these can be signs of serious damage that requires major repairs.
• Ventilation: Vents and louvers should be undamaged and provide adequate ventilation into your attic.
• Insulation: Even properly insulated attics can reach 170 degrees in the Phoenix heat. Your inspector should ensure you have adequate insulation and that it’s correctly installed.
• Wiring: The attic should have no exposed wires or splices that could lead to later damage and danger.

Bathroom

The most glorious part of your home? Probably not. Still, it’s important to make sure they’re in order, especially when so many leaks occur in the bathroom. That includes:

• Toilets: They should be stable with no rocking or staining. They should also flush and fill properly.
• Tubs and showers: Whether combined or standalone, they should drain smoothly and show no significant damage.
• Plumbing: You should be able to see all plumbing under sinks. Also, there should be no water damage or leaks.
• Water pressure: All faucets should have sufficient water pressure and both hot and cold water.

Kitchen

You’ll probably use the kitchen every day, but that’s not the only reason to be thorough. Difficult-to-repair damage can occur here, so the inspector will be looking at:

• Water: Water should flow and drain, and there should be no damage or leaks.
• Appliances: All built-in appliances should operate properly.
• Garbage disposal: Garbage disposal should be fully operational and connected to a switch.
• Exhaust fans: Vents should lead outside to properly funnel out gas, smoke and more.

Electrical

Faulty and dangerous wiring can cause a variety of issues. A couple things that might be on the inspection list include:

• Wiring: All wiring throughout the house should be in good, secure and protected condition.
• Electrical panels: Every cable should be attached, and breakers should not be overheating.

Heating and cooling

It would be important anywhere, but in Arizona, your heating and cooling is vital. Luckily, the inspection can help you avoid costly repairs and know you’re getting what you pay for by checking on:

• A/C and heating: Both should be fully operational.
• Air filters: Air filters should be clean.
• Gas odors: There should be no gas odors or signs of leaks in your heating and cooling systems.

Plumbing

It may take a little extra effort, but no inspection is complete without looking at:

• Foundation: It should have no significant cracks.
• Septic tank: Check for leaks and standing water around the tank.
• Drainage: There should be no standing water or buildup near the home.
• Plumbing access: You should have access to all pipes to make repairs.

Check it off before moving in

Remember, even if the home inspection process seems drawn out or like it’s just another step on a difficult road, it’s meant to help you know you’re moving into a ready-to-live-in home. It’s also better to find issues early than to face costly repairs a few months into owning your house.

As always, our team is here to help you every step of the way. Whether you need updates on the process or just a little boost of confidence, we’re on your side and excited to get you into the home you deserve!