FLorida Home Inspection Checklist

     A detailed home inspection is a necessity before closing takes place on the property. It involves a detailed examination of both the interior and exterior of the home and its structural elements. The home inspection is designed to locate any abnormalities or deficiencies in the property that may need repairing before the house is purchased. It can save the buyer from costly repairs that can instead be deducted from the purchase of the home. Although home inspections are usually very thorough, they are not inclusive and do not guarantee that every defect will be uncovered. It is helpful to have your own checklist to follow along with as the home inspector reviews your property. A detailed checklist is provided below.

Home Inspection Checklist:
■Plumbing
■Roof and Attic
■Exterior Evaluation
■Structural Elements
■Systems and Components
■Appliances
■Garage
■Electrical
■Chimney
■Basement
■Wall Coverings
■Windows and doors
■Porches and Decks
■Ceilings
■Walls
■Soffits/Fascia
■Gutters
■Fireplaces

     When the inspector arrives to perform the home inspection, he or she will first look at the overall condition of the property being sure to note any flaws or deficiencies which are prominent. From there, they will perform a detailed examination of the exterior of the home being sure to take into account the condition of the roofing and siding of the property. They may move laterally around the property in a clockwise direction making sure to notate any abnormalities. This exterior home inspection will usually go from top to bottom starting with the roofing, and chimneys then moving down to the siding and font porches. It will include the driveway, flower beds and gutters. When the home inspection moves to the interior, it will typically start with the basement moving upwards to each floor. The system most inspectors follow is to begin with the floor then progressing upwards to the walls and finally the ceiling. The interior home inspection will also include electrical appliances, plumbing, breakers, hot water heater, furnaces and any other internal component of the home. If any problems are found after the inspection is complete, they will be noted in the complete report that the inspector will provide.
     Some items that are not included in a standard home inspection but which should be performed separately include a check for asbestos, termites, rodents, lead, mold, mildew and fungi as well as radiation and formaldehyde. For the inspection of these items, it is necessary to hire specialists who are licensed to perform each inspection. Other items that the home inspection does not cover include proximity to environmental hazards, well and water systems and water quality, code or zoning violations, waste disposal systems, underground sewer lines, sprinkler systems, noise interference, and other conditions related to the home but not directly affecting the structure of the home itself.
     If problems are unclosed after the home inspection is complete, it may be in the buyer’s best interest to hire their own contractors to fix these issues as the seller may not hesitate to skimp on the cost and quality of building materials. Otherwise, the buyer may put in the contract a request to repair the damages before the closing takes place.
     The home inspection can be one of the most fundamental checks to have performed on your property before closing takes place. A proper home inspection will uncover fundamental flaws and deficiencies that can prove costly to repair. In addition it will ensure that there is no structural damage to the home and that all systems are in working order. The checklist included will afford you a greater understanding of what to expect during your standard home inspection.
By Marc Kleiner

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Newby Realty provides sales of new and used manufactured (mobile) homes throughout Florida in Bradenton, Clearwater, Debary, Edgewater, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Pierce, Hudson, Lakeland, N. Fort Myers, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orange City, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Port Richey, Sarasota, Winter Springs, Zephyrhills.