A Discovery Home Inspection will thoroughly check for the following items and a great deal more. However, here are some things to keep in mind that will provide you with a superior heads-up on a home's basic condition when searching for your new home...
Water Intrusion
Make an attempt to have the sellers tell you the age of the roof. Look for signs of water stains on the ceiling inside the home, especially near chimneys, skylights, bathroom exhaust fans, and near plumbing fixtures (includes directly around a fixture as well as the proximity directly below plumbing fixtures as viewed from lower levels--look up at the ceiling for water staining).
Look for signs of water stains at the foundation on the interior of the home. This can be seen as a white powder residue, called efflorescence (a by-product of water), directly on the foundation walls. Note stained or warped finishing materials (paneling, framing members, sheet rock). Pay special attention to the corners of a home's foundation, as often times gutter downspouts on the exterior of a home have no extensions (or they're too short or have fallen off) theryby dumping water collected by the gutter system right next to the foundation (exactly what it shouldn't be doing).
Be aware of musty odors throughout the home. Be mindful of any allergic reactions you may experience while you are in a home (itchy, water eyes, asthmatic reactions/difficulty breathing, etc.)
On the home's exterior, look at the grade (slope) of the property directly surrounding the foundation. Ideally, there should be a gentle slope away from the foundation on all sides. Make note of a flat grade, and especially sloping toward the home (this may include neighboring properties and hillsides sloping toward the home).
Note the condition of the gutter system, if one exists. Pay special attention to where the water that is collected from the roof is being shed. Is it being dumped right next to the home's foundation? Are sections of the gutter missing, damaged, leaking, poorly sloped, filled with debris?
Electrical Hazards
Be on the lookout for the general condition of electrical fixtures, switches and receptacles. Make note of loosely mounted switches and receptacles, light fixtures and switches that don't work, poorly anchored ceiling fans that wobble, any blackened/scortched outlet receptacles, missing coverplates, dangling/abandoned wires, extension cord wiring to power fixtures (a red flag to a lack of receptacles and overloaded circuits). Often times, enclosed front porches of older homes, and unfinished spaces contain no outlet receptacles. Even if you see lamps in these areas, check to see if there is actually a receptacle to plug them in!
Plumbing
Be on the lookout for leaking plumbing fixtures, leaking shut-off valves, loosely mounted plumbing fixtures/faucets. Look below sinks into cabinets for signs of past or current leaks. Look at the water heater and look for signs of rust and corrosion at the bottom edge of the tank or any signs of puddling on the floor below it (this is an indication that the tank has rusted through and is in need of replacement).
Heating/Cooling
What type of heating system does the home have? Forced air, baseboards/radiators/in-floor with hot water or steam, electric. Is there a heat and cooling supply to ALL of the rooms in the home? Do these heat/cooling supplies appear to be in working order? Sometimes, portions of a home that one would typically expect to be heated or cooled, are not.
Windows and Doors
Pay attention to the functionality and condition of the windows and doors. Open and close several windows and doors to get an idea of their working (or non-working) order. Do you see rotted wood, peeling paint, failing glazing/putty? Do they open and close with ease? Do they have locking mechanisms? Do they feel drafty? Are there two panes of glass, or if only one pane (layer), are there storm windows too? Be on the lookout for broken glass and missing screens. Too, be sure to open and close doors to the interior rooms and closets.
Exterior Siding/Trim/Soffit/Facia
What is the general condition of the home's exterior siding? Does it appear to have been properly maintained? Note cracks, peeling paint, missing or detached siding or trim, rotted wood, deteriorated brick mortar.
Disclosures and Permits
Make sure you get a copy of the sellers disclosure statement. Some cities require a truth-in-sale inspection be performed. If the home you are purchasing is in a city that has this requirement, make sure you are provided with a copy of this inspection report or proof of compliance. It is also prudent to check with the city's inspection department to view the home's permit record. Were permits pulled to do work that has been performed? If so, were the permits finalized to be in compliance with the city's codes? This inspection record is also a good indicator of when work was precisely performed, such as the installation of a roof.
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