Home Buying Tips from Stansbury Real Estate | Tom McCarty | Sell Your Home in Tooele

Home Buying Checklist

You're sure you've found your home. It's stunning, in the right neighborhood, and very affordable. Everything is perfect. Or is it?

Having your prospective home inspected by a professional is an important step to home ownership. It can reveal things that you might not be able to spot yourself. And by identifying any potential problems up front, you may convince the seller to either fix them or reimburse any repairs.

But before you shell out any money, do a simple pre-inspection yourself. Print the following checklist and take it with you. Not only is it a helpful guide for homebuyers, but it also signals you're a smart shopper and know how to buy a home.

If too many problems turn up here, it may be a signal for you to search elsewhere.

Item

Check for

Foundation

Cracks, shifting or settling
Bolted to foundation for earthquake safety
Mudsill should be dry (this is the part of the house that rests on the foundation)

Windows

Dry rot on panes, sills and frames
Cracks in glass
Windows open properly and seal tightly
Moisture damage inside

Electrical systems

Properly working outlets, lights and switches
If the system has been updated (3-prong outlets, circuit breakers, etc. — for older houses)
GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) outlets in the bathroom and kitchen
Broken or loose outlets

Plumbing

Leaks around pipes and fixtures
Water pressure (try more than one faucet at once)
Test hot water pressure (same method)
Walls around shower and for water damage
Rust or leaking around hot water heater
The water heater being up to code

Fireplace / Chimney

Crumbling mortar around brickwork
Stability of chimney and any obstructions

Roof

Leaking or cracks
Age of the shingles
Nearby overhanging trees

Pests

Termite / beetle holes in wooden supports
Attic vents for hornet / wasp nests
Rodent droppings in cupboards and under house

Floor

Water damage, especially around plumbing fixtures
Soft spots in floor
Water-damaged floorboards and supports under the house

Kitchen

Operational appliances and faucet

Hazardous materials

Asbestos and lead stairs and walkways
Make sure that all stairs and walkways (inside and out) are free of obstructions
Firm stepping stones
Steady railings

Pool/Spa

Working cleaning / filtering system
Leaks or cracks

Paint

Cracking or peeling paint

Furnace

An operational thermostat
Clean and clear venting