PERFORM A PRE-INSPECTION HOUSE WALKTHROUGH LIKE A PRO
We’ve covered elsewhere on this blog why spending the extra $$ to schedule a home inspection is such a key part of the home buying process and given you all the tips and tricks for getting the most out of it.
One of those top tips is to conduct a pre-inspection walkthrough yourself before inviting an inspector on-board, so you can optimize their (expensive) time by giving you valuable context and giving you time to prepare questions. In some cases it may even surface some obvious red flags which lead you to rule out the property and save you paying out to have it inspected at all.
“But what am I even looking for???” I hear you cry.
Gather round and TDO will spill the beans.
1: FROM THE WINDOWS… TO THE WALLS…
Do a thorough check of all ceilings, floors, walls & window frames, keeping your eyes peeled for any signs of mold or water damage such as discoloration, warping, bubbling or flaking paint, or the dreaded musty odor.
Visible water damage is almost always an indicator of significant issues and should always be treated as a red flag
2: RAISE THE ROOF:
Speaking of water damage, roofing issues are amongst the most costly of all housing headaches so if you are able to safely give the roof a glance over to check for visible signs of broken tiles, or backed up guttering it could end up being very worth your while.
3: PRESSURE LIKE A DRIP DRIP DRIP:
Noticing a pattern here? Yup, water is the driving force of life but too much of it in the wrong places is homeowner hell so checking over the plumbing is a key component to any walkthrough.
Obviously an inspector will be able to investigate more thoroughly but start by checking for any leaky pipes and testing all the faucets, (including bathtubs & showers) and toilets to ensure they are running/flushing correctly and with appropriate pressure.
4. TOO HOT TO HANDLE:
From water… to fire! Sort of. Furnace and boiler safety is a crucial consideration in any home purchase and must be assessed by professional. But you can make a start by assessing them for their age and last service date to make sure they are safety compliant.
5. THE POWER, YOU’RE SUPPLYING: IT’S ELECTRIFYING:
Checking all the light switches will give you a reasonable indication that things are working as they should be. Our handy hack though – a receptacle tester is an easy way to do a more thorough pre-check. Be especially interested in any outlets which look brand new as if a home has been rewired very recently, it may not have been inspected yet.
6. HOLDING ONTO THE CRACKS IN OUR FOUNDATION:
Caution: we are definitely not suggesting you go digging around to inspect any home’s foundations BUT there are some telltale red flags you can keep a lookout for as you walk around, such as cracks or doors and windows which stick or don’t latch properly.
FINAL THOUGHT:
When you do schedule the official inspection, make sure you turn up and walk through it with them. The knowledge, questions or concerns you’ve collected will be valuable and you will also learn a lot about the house by being present as they discover things.
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