In last month’s blog, we discussed what to look for in some of the elements of a home inspection and just how crucial that is to determine the quality of house you will purchase. However, the issues we addressed in the last blog post dealt with the outside of the house. While these are perhaps the most important elements when going through the process of buying a home, there are several important factors to be aware of for the internal aspects as well. In this blog, we will address a few of the features to look at inside the home.

Interior

• Appliances (if included)

Normally, a house will not include appliances unless you are renting. However, on seldom occasion the seller of the house might include the appliances left in the house factoring them into the price. If this is the case, some things to look for are

• Do the appliances appear to be well-maintained?
• What are the ages of the

Refrigerator?

Dishwasher?

Oven?

Are there any leaks under the bathroom sink/kitchen?

While these are minor grievances, they can add up and go a long way in factoring into the cost of the appliances.

Structural Elements

• Has their previously been a fire in the home?
• Do the walls show vertical or horizontal cracks?
• Are there any stains on the floors, walls, or ceilings?

While not as crucial as the foundation or roof, if any of these situations has occurred, it could contribute to wear and tear on these external elements.

Ventilation and Sub-systems

• Does the house smell? Can you identify the source?
• Does the heating and AC appear to be working properly?
• Does the water heater produce enough hot water?
• Is there a working exhaust fan in the kitchen?

These are a few of the internal factors that must be paid attention to when dealing with questions about the inside of the house. As stated, they are not as crucial as the elements on the outside of the house such as the foundation and the roof, but they do matter and can add up to major nuisances over time if overlooked when inspecting a home. Below, we will address some miscellaneous features when looking at the home inspection.

Miscellaneous 

Electrical:

• Do all of the switches work?
• Is each outfit properly grounded?
• Do the ceiling fans work?
• Has the electrical panel been recalled?

Plumbing:

• Are there any unusual noises?
• Do the faucets and other fixtures have enough pressure?

Garage:

Check all of the following elements for signs of damage and wear

• Slab
• Walls
• Ceiling
• Vents
• Garage Door
• Lights
• Openers
• Windows
• Roof

This checklist, while not as crucial as the external checklist does come in handy and can save a lot of trouble and heartache when browsing through the home-inspection list. Along with the list of items to look for on the outside, you should be well equipped to handle any issues when dealing with a major purchase such as a house.