June 24, 2024June 26, 2024

Pre-Listing Home Inspection Checklist

Avoid delays and save money when selling your home by using our Pre-Listing Home Inspection Checklist! Inspect crucial areas inside and outside your house to ensure a smooth sale.

Prior to putting your home on the market it is a recommended that you have your home pre-inspected to avoid any potential problems or delays in the sale of your home and to also save you time and money. The last thing you need when selling your home is to have negotiated a sale price with a buyer only to have an unexpected home inspection item that needs to be addressed prior to closing and costing you more out of pocket money.

Today’s home buyer’s will seek the services of a licensed home inspector to go through the home to insure that they know the quality of the home they are buying and to have those items that need repair taken care of prior to closing. Having a Pre-Listing Home Inspection performed will help solidify your contract and the buyers’ home inspector will confirm that they are buying a good, sound home.

The checklist below can help get you get started with your own evaluation of your home and prepare you for the pre-inspection. It is important to note that this is not a home inspection and should not be considered as an official home inspection but merely to be used as a reference sheet.

We will be happy to provide you with a list of licensed home inspectors that will inspector your home and give you a full report.

Outside Yard

Proper grading drainage away from house
No evidence of standing water
No leaks from septic system (if applicable)
Yard, landscaping, trees and walkways in good condition
No branches or bushes touching house or overhanging the roof
Exterior structures such as fences, decks, sheds, garages, etc. are in good condition and no evidence of pest infestation, fungus or rot.
Railings on stairs and decks are adequate, secure and meet building codes
Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from home
Downspout drainage directed away from home

Structure

Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level
Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging
Window and door frames appear square (especially bowed windows)
Visible foundation in good condition – appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks

Exterior Surfaces

Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials (6″ minimum); no wood-to-earth contact
Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay
Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken or flaking components
Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)
Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or loose siding
No vines on surface of structure
Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters
No stains on exterior surfaces

Windows, Doors and Wood Trim

Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, no cracks, rot or decay
Joints around frames are caulked
No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken double- paned, insulated window seals.
Storm windows or thermal glass used
Drip caps installed over windows

Roof

Composition shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing
Wood shingles or shakes: no mold, rot or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling
Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/”alligatoring” and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings
Flashing around roof penetrations
No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk
Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains
Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over
Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits
Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition

Attic

No stains on underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations
No evidence of decay or damage to structure
Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)
Adequate ventilation, clear path into attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational
No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic
No open electrical splices

Interior Rooms

Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level
No stains on floors, walls or ceilings
Flooring materials in good condition
No significant cracks in walls or ceilings
Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, “weep holes” installed
Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware
Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition
Wood trim installed well and in good condition
Lights and switches operate properly
Adequate number of three pronged electrical outlets in each room
Electrical outlets test properly (spot check)
Heating/cooling source in each habitable room
Evidence of adequate insulation in walls
Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined

Kitchen

Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (“GFCI”) protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s)
Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly
No leaks in pipes under sinks
Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay
Water flow in sink adequate
No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes
Built- in appliances operate properly
Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly

Bathrooms

Working exhaust fan that doesn’t terminate in the attic space
Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures
Sink, tub and shower drain properly
Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition
If sink is metal, check for rust and drainage
Toilet operates properly
Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base
Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area
Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid
No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower

Miscellaneous

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances
Stairway treads and risers solid
Stair handrails where needed and in good condition
Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles
Basement or Mechanical Room
No evidence of moisture
Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence
Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to foundation with anchor bolts
Insulation at rim/band joists

Crawl Space

Adequately vented to exterior
Insulation on exposed water supply, waste and vent pipes
Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area
No evidence of insect damage
No evidence of moisture damage
Check under home for any signs of mold or mildew

Plumbing

Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system
Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house.
Water pump: does not short cycle
Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow
Well water test is acceptable
Hot water temperature between 118 – 125 degrees Fahrenheit

Electrical

Visible wiring: in good condition, no “knob-and-tube” wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected
Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating
No aluminum cable for branch circuits

Heating/Cooling System