Do your own Pre-Home Inspection Prior to Making an Offer

One of the first questions I ask my clients when they hire me is if they had noticed anything about the home they have specific concerns about. I take extra time to look at the issue to either determine the severity or ease their minds about it.

Over the course of my home inspection career, I have determined that there are a few things buyers can easily look for on the final walkthrough before they make an offer on a home and hire a home inspector. This can help you by determining beforehand if the home is worth the time and money of making an initial offer.

Here are a few quick things to look for. Remember to bring a small flashlight.

1. Go down to the basement and look for signs of moisture or cracking in the foundation. These are easily spotted by doing a quick scan of the exterior walls and floor. If it hasn’t rained in awhile there might not be any moisture present, but you can look for efflorescence (a white powdery type substance indicative of water penetration points in the foundation walls), mold or mildew (black/stained areas), cracks in the walls, etc. Smaller cracks may not be a problem and a home inspector can give you a better indication on the severity.
2. Try to find where the plumbing drains come thru the floor. If leaking has occurred it will be readily visible with a flashlight. Look for staining on the sub flooring and/or floor joists around the penetration. Staining could indicate potential rotting in the flooring or floor structure.
3. Look for electrical wiring that is unsecured, or hanging loose. Also look for switch, outlet and junction boxes with no covers. This could indicate “handyman” wiring which could mean that there are more serious problems with the electrical issues which can cost money to repair correctly. Handymen do not know about codes or safety!
4. In the livable area of the home look under sinks for signs of leaks, rotting and/or evidence of mold/mildew.
5. Look at the ceilings and walls for signs of water stains and/or significant cracking. Water stains can indicate a leaking roof or condensation in the attic. Cracking can indicate structural concerns.
6. Look at the electrical outlets for signs of burning stains. This can indicate an electrical problem.
7. Take notice to the flooring in the rooms. Does the carpet smell? (pet urine or previous water issues) Is the floor sloped? (An indication of foundation settlement). Are the tiles broken/cracked or linoleum curling?

8. Outside take a quick scan at the roof. Are the shingles curling, cracking, or growing moss? These can indicate that the roof is nearing the end of its life and may need replacement soon which can be a major expense.
9. Take notice to the windows and trim. Are the windows cracked, broken or show signs of moisture between the panes? Are their any noticeable signs of rot?
10. If you noticed moisture evidence in the basement, take a quick look outside to possibly see why. Is the landscaping sloping toward the structure or away from it? Are there gutters on the home to direct water away from the home?

These are just a few of the things that a home inspector looks for. A home inspection is quite a bit more detailed, but you can look for these items yourself quickly and it will give you a better indication on the condition of the home.
If after doing your own pre-inspection you still decide to make an offer, be sure to get a qualified home inspector to more thoroughly inspect the home. Make the inspector aware of your findings and ask them to specifically look at the items you have concerns about.
To find a home inspector in your area you can use the following resources.

In Wisconsin:
http://wisconsin-home-inspectors.com
Across the nation:
http://findaninspector.us
http://homeinspections-usa.com