Chimneys, vents, house insulation, and ducting. All furnace and AC systems for age, condition, and proper functioning. • Laundry room: Ventilation and dryer systems; leaks and potential fire hazards. • Bathrooms: Bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet inspection. Proper ventilation and plumbing. • Kitchen appliances (if part of purchase): Properly working devices and correct installation. • Fire safety: Smoke detectors in place and operating, fireplace and stoves. • Pest inspection: Presence of wood-boring and other insects, molds, and fungi. If you live in certain specific high-risk areas, it’s wise to order an additional service — for example earthquake, tornado, or flood inspection. The specialist will help you to estimate the resistance of the property to natural disaster. Your inspector may recommend that you ask for a specialized opinion, such as a structural engineer in case weakness is suspected in load-bearing walls. Don't procrastinate and wait to get this done. There have been situations where the closing meeting had to be postponed because of failure to properly deal with discovered inspection issues in time. A good expert is hard to find. Choosing the right inspector is the key to a thorough and comprehensive report. You may search online, paying close attention to reviews. Many real estate websites have a list of professionals with ratings and reviews. Ask your friends and family for a recommendation. An excellent source of recommendations is the real estate agent you are working with — your buyer’s agent, not the seller’s agent.
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