Real Estate Appraisal Checklist
When it comes to buying a house, it is important that you conduct a complete inspection before signing on the dotted lines. |
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While professional appraisers have a set of guidelines to appraise the value of a house, a home buyer uses different set of items to check. In order to get value for your money, you should always be armed with a real estate appraisal checklist to figure out the condition of the house and identify any existing problems.
Here is a real estate appraisal checklist that you can use when visiting potential properties that you might be interested in buying.
General Items:
Check to see if any major changes have been done to the property
Whether the seller has completed the repairs and/or modifications you agreed on
Ask for the receipt, warranty and/or guarantee for the repair work done by the contractor
Find out whether the current owner has clearance from pest control
Roofing:
Check for any signs of leakage from the roof
Make sure that the gutters and pipes are secure
Look for any signs of the roof or chimney being damaged
Exterior:
Check the outside of the house to see signs of cracked walls, peeling paint or any other visible defect
Check to see the condition of the driveway, walkway and steps if any
See what plants or vegetation are growing outside the house
Check the condition of the deck, porch and outside railings to ensure that they are safe and secure
Look for signs that show you that there many be a problem with surface drainage
Look at the condition of the retaining wall
Basement:
Make sure that all areas of the basement are dry
Check to see whether there are any signs of water damage
Look for cracks in the foundation
Check for signs of mildew, mold or musty smell
Interior:
Check the walls, ceiling and floor for any stains, cracks or any other type of damage
Make sure that the latches of the windows and doors can be open and closed properly
Look for stains or leakage in the kitchen and bathroom
Make sure that the staircase is safe and secure
See whether there are fire alarms in all the rooms and hallways
Kitchen and Bathroom:
Make sure that all the appliances are in working condition
Check the cabinets, sinks, floor and countertops for any signs of damage
Make sure that the water pressure from all water outlets is correct
Check under the sinks to ensure that there are no signs of leakage
Garage:
Make sure that the garage door opens and closes properly
If the door is automatic, make sure that it functions properly
Look for signs of dampness and/or mildew or mold growth
Electrical:
Check all the electrical fixtures to ensure that they are working
Make sure that all electrical outlets are in working condition
Ring the doorbell to see whether it is operation
Make sure that there are smoke detectors and that they are working
Ensure that there are no exposed wires
Plumbing:
Make sure that none of the faucets or pipes is showing signs of leakage
Ensure that there is sufficient water pressure
Check to see that the water heater is functional
Find out how old the pipes are and when the complete plumbing was overhauled
Heating or Cooling:
Ensure that the heating or cooling system is working properly
Make sure that all rooms that need the heating or cooling have the necessary fixtures
Check to see whether one room is hotter or colder than the other
Fireplace:
Check the fireplace and chimney for their safety
See whether the fire box needs to be repaired
Check to see whether the damper is working properly
Make sure that the chimney has a rain cap installed
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