Doing a home inspection is one of the most important parts of the home buying process that requires due diligence. Having a do it yourself checklist is a great initial step when doing your walk-through.

The Kitchen

Cabinets and drawers: Open and close every cabinet and drawer to make sure they move smoothly and that they don’t prevent access to anything.

Oven: Open the oven door slowly to make sure the springs work and the light, if it has one, turns on appropriately. Turn it on to make sure it still works and is in good condition.
Stove: The same thing applies to the stove. Turn on each burner to make sure it works.
Fridge: Open the refrigerator and freezer doors to ensure they open easily.
Dishwasher: Open and inspect the dishwasher slowly to check the springs on the door. If it’s electronic, make sure the unit still turns on and functions as it’s meant to.
Faucet: Run the water to check the pressure and make sure the knobs completely turn off.
Garbage disposal: Make sure it runs, turning the water on beforehand.
Cabinet interiors: Take a look inside of each one to make sure they are spacious enough. And make sure there are enough drawers to fit your needs.
Microwave: Make sure it works. Turn it on and press some buttons.
Hood: Turn on the range hood fan and light to make sure they work. Peek underneath to check for filth—a commonly overlooked area for cleaning.
Countertops: Check here for chips and cracks regardless of what it’s made out of.
Tile: Check the floor for cracked or broken tiles

The Bathroom

Plumbing and drainage: Flush the toilet and let the water run in the sink and tub. Inspect that the water in the sink and tub drain properly. Turn on the shower and make sure the water runs evenly with good pressure. This is also a great opportunity to check for pipe leaks and functioning knobs.

Flooring: Any broken tiles?
Toilet: Does it rock or is it solidly on the floor? Make sure it flushes properly and doesn’t run after the fact.
Tub: Check for cracks, chips, and any spaces between the tub and the walls or the floor.
Vanity: Check the overall condition and each storage space.
Ventilation: Does the fan work? Is there a window and does it open and close easily?

The Bedroom

Closets: If the closets have doors, make sure they open and close easily.

Flooring: Does the carpet have stains, wear spots, or other kinds of damage? With wood and tile, does it have any scratches, cracks, or broken places?

Living Room / Dining Room

Doors: Any doors? Do they open and close easily?

Flooring: What is the state of the flooring?
Walls: Are there any holes or other damage in the walls?
Ceilings: Make sure they don’t have any cracks or holes.

General Items

Windows: Check that they open and close easily and for any broken panes.

Doors: Check that they open and close completely. Do they stick? Lock? Scrape the floor at any point?
Floors: Check for any creaking and unevenness. Place a marble on the floor and see if it rolls to check for a slant. This test should be done in multiple areas of the home to make sure everything is level.
Walls: Check for any holes or cracks in the walls. It’s also important to check the insulation. Touching different areas of the walls can be a good way to check for cold spots. Cold spots are an indication that the home isn’t properly insulated.
Trim: Is there any damage or missing pieces? Animals, for example, can be brutal to wood trim, and matching old trim is almost impossible. If there is damage, it may make sense to replace the trim completely.
Lights: Turn on every light switch to make sure they work. Check with the power company about this step if need be.
Stairs: Walk up and down the stairs and touch every spindle on the railing. Do they seem sturdy or wobbly?
Outlets: Get a voltage tester at your local big box home improvement store for less than $20 and test every single outlet both inside and outside.
Furnace: Look for any stickers on the furnace that indicate the installation date. If there is none, make sure to get this information as soon as possible and store it in a safe place.
Water heater: Check for water around the base of the water heater for damage or other signs of wear. The heater should also have stickers that indicate the installation date.

The Exterior

Sprinklers: Turn on the sprinkler system to test the water pressure and that the system works the way it’s meant to.

Walkways: Uneven walkways can be dangerous. Make sure there are no serious cracks, holes, etc.
Lights: Flip them on and test them out to make sure they stay on consistently. If they are motion-sensor lights, test them out by walking by them.
Fence: Walk the fence to check for loose boards and the overall sturdiness.
Siding: Check for any decay and wood rot that may become a bigger problem as time goes on. Look at the mortar between the bricks, if applicable. Is it cracking? How badly?
Roof: Curling or buckling can be an indication that the roof needs work.
Gutters: The gutters are considered part of the roof. It’s important to make sure they don’t have any rust or cracks and holes that would make them leak. The downspouts should also be a certain distance away from the house’s foundation, and the gutters should be a certain size to prevent runoff.
Garage door: Make sure the garage door(s) open and close easily. If there’s a remote, make sure it works properly.
Driveway: Check for significant cracks or holes and note the material the driveway is made of to be able to estimate repairs or replacement costs. Is it asphalt? Is it concrete? Is it brick?
Lawn: Look at the grass and check for dead patches.
Yard: Note the state of the yard, and make sure there aren’t any dead trees. How’s the size? What amount of shade/sun does it get (for those considering gardens or needing to plant grass). Is there any standing water?
Air conditioning: Is there an AC unit? If not, then does it have a line set to a furnace, and the AC has been stolen? Or is there simply no line to the furnace?
Chimney: Check to make sure the chimney is clean and that firewood can be burned safely.