• Flashlight
• Clipboard and checklist
• Assorted screwdrivers
• Awl
• Step ladder
• Binoculars
• Tape measure
• Electrical tester
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Camera/video camera
Bathrooms:
• Working exhaust fan
• Adequate water flow in all fixtures
• Sink, tub, and shower drain properly
• Plumbing and cabinet floor under sink in good condition
• Metal sink shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn't leak
• Toilet operates properly
• Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around base
• Caulking in good condition inside tub and shower area
• Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid
• No stains around base of tub or shower
Basement Rooms:
• No evidence of water
• 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) joist
Crawlspace:
• Adequately vented to outside
• Insulation on exposed pipes and vents
• Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards
heated area
• No evidence of insect damage
• No evidence of moisture damage
Electrical:
• Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices
• Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to panel with cable connectors;
fuses or breakers are not overheating
• No aluminum cables for branch circuits
Exterior Surfaces:
• Adequate clearance between ground and wood materials
• Shingles and siding: no cracking, curling or decay
• Brick veneer: no cracks in joints or broken bricks
• Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)
• Vinyl or steel siding: no dents from hail damage, no bowing
• No vines on surface of house
• Exterior painting or stain: no flaking, blisters
• No stains on exterior surfaces
Heating/Cooling Systems:
• Appears to operate well throughout house
• Flues: no open seams, slopes up to outside
• No rust around cooling unit
• No combustion gas odor
• Air filter clean
• Ductwork in good condition
• No asbestos on steam or water pipes
• Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal
House Structure:
• Ridge and soffit lines appear straight and level
• Sides of house appear straight, not bowed or sagging
• Window and door frames appear square
• Visible foundation in good condition -- appears straight, plumb, with no significant
cracks
Interior Rooms:
• Floors, walls and ceilings appear straight and plumb/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 weatherstripping
• Doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware
• Paint, wallcovering and paneling in good condition
• Wood trim installed well and in good condition
• Lights and switches operate properly
• Adequate receptacles in each room
• Receptacles test properly (spot check)
• Heating/cooling delivered to each habitable room
• Evidence of adequate insulation in walls
• Fireplaces: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of smoke, damper operates
properly, flue has been cleaned
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required (hard wired preferred)
• Stairway treads and risers solid
• Stair rails where needed and in good condition
Kitchen:
• Working exhaust fan
• Ground fault interrupter protection for all countertop outlets
• Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets in good condition
• No leaks in pipes under sinks
• Floor in cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay
• Water flow in sink adequate
• No excessive rust on garbage disposer
• Disposer runs properly
• Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly
Landscape:
• Positive grade away from house
• No standing water
• No flooding from septic system
• Yard, landscaping, trees, and paths in good condition
• No branches or bushes touching house or roof
• Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, stoops, retaining walls, detached garages) in
good condition, no evidence of termite damage
• Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure
• Driveways, sidewalks, patios, stoops in good condition and sloping away from house
• Downspouts empty away from house
• Neighboring lots don't adversely affect the property
Plumbing:
• Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of water stains on materials near pipes, drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet
• Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly
• Water pump: does not short-cycle
• Galvanized pipes do not appear to restrict water flow
• Drain clean out does not show signs of frequent use
Roof:
• Composition shingles: no curling, no loss of granulation, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, only one layer of roofing
• Wood shingles or shakes: no mold or decay, no damage, no curling
• Flat roof: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters and wrinkles
• Flashing around roof penetrations
• No evidence of excess roofing cement
• Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains
• Exterior venting for area under roof (soffit vents and ridge vents are preferable), vents are clean
• Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or
sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean
• Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints,
cap in good condition
Windows, Doors & Wood Trim: