Buying Property - Inspecting a new home

After you have located a home that interests you, do not be shy when conducting an inspection. You will be investing a lot of money and you should investigate each home thoroughly. You can, if you wish to do so, even bring an expert along to assist you.

Buyer beware

If you think that you have found the right home but have concerns about its structural soundness you should call in an expert. You might even consider having the home inspected by a building inspection service which will prepare a written report. Your purchase is a big investment so think of the fee for this service as being an insurance premium. Home inspections are primarily visual inspections which may not always reveal structural problems.

The following checklist will help you to inspect your new home.

Exterior

• Grading-should be sloping gently away from the house.
• Sod-was it rolled when laid?
• Wood, vinyl or aluminium siding- should be even and nailed securely to the walls.
• Brick -should be evenly laid and clean, with weep holes intact.
• Caulking -check around windows, doors, garage door, electrical outlets and fixtures.
• Paint and stains -inspect for even coverage and proper colour.
• Trim, shutters, fascia and soffit -must be a proper colour, of good quality and securely fastened.
• Shingles -are they clean, of proper colour and with no lifting corners?
• Garage-should feature non-combustible materials on the wall adjoining the house. The garage door should open and close properly.

Interior

• Doors -must be well-fitted and well-hung; secure locks for outside doors and door stops.
• Windows -must open smoothly, lockable.
• Walls -should be smooth and even; no cracks, visible seams or nail-pops; right colour; even paint coverage; no gaps at electrical switches and plugs.
• Floors -minimum of squeaks and "spring"; smooth seams on carpet and other floor covering; even grouting between ceramic tiles.
• Plumbing fixtures -no chips or scratches, faucets operating properly, caulking around counter tops and fixtures.
• Upgrades and options -correct materials and quality, proper installation, right colours.
• General state of cleanliness -no construction debris, clean heating ducts, carpets, walls, etc.

You might want to hire a private building inspector or engineer to conduct the inspection for you. Look in the phone book under Building Inspection Services.