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, fireplaces, and stoves. • Pest inspection. Presence of wood-boring and other insects, molds, and fungi. 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. Your agent will have recommendations for your area. 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 attention to reviews of that inspector. 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 with whom you’re working—your buyer’s agent, not the seller’s agent. Most inspectors allow time to meet with buyers and their agent, at the end of the inspection. This gives them an opportunity to explain more clearly any issues that they will be putting in the written report. This is one of your first opportunities to fully take a tour around the house, with a house inspection expert, and see its features and condition up close.
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