If These Questions Are Your Toast, This Home Inspection Checklist Is Your Jam:
“Is this a bad crack?”
“Are there any plumbing leaks?”
“Does the roof have hail damage?”
“Is the home’s electrical system safe?”
“How’s the AC and furnace?”
What You’ll Find Inside This Home Inspection Checklist…
1. Foundation
Where to find the cracks and which ones spell trouble. Plus, what it means if you see moisture.
2. Plumbing
Find the leaks in the water lines and drain lines and decipher the age of the water heater.
3. Roof
Spot hail damage and other issues early so you can decide to negotiate or just walk away.
4. Electrical
Find the electrical service size and use the home’s age to predict red flags that might make you pause.
5. HVAC
Test the furnace and A/C then use their age to estimate how much time they have left.
Go from anxious shopper to confident offer in 13 pages.
+ 4 FREE BONUSES THAT DON’T SUCK
Building Materials Lifespan Guide – New for 2023
How long is it going to last?
From foundations to fiberglass doors and sealants to smoke detectors, this guide helps answer that question, so you’re not blindsided when something bites the dust. 300+ items. 20 pages. – $8.99 value.
Cost Estimates Guide – New for 2023
What’s it gonna cost?
And when something finally reaches its (hopefully not so) bitter end, this guide gives you the ballpark cost so the price quote doesn’t feel like a flying boot to the back of the face. 32 pages. 550+ items. – $9.99 value.
Home Maintenance for Dummies – 2nd Edition
Of course, you’re no dummy
But home ownership and home repairs go together like babies and diapers. And since I like things simple, this book is perfect. No matter who you are, it’s worth its price in gold. 411 pages. – $17 value.
Home Wizard Monthly E-newsletter
Homes are like people (no, not sweaty and vulgar) – The older they get, the more attention they need.
This AI engine makes it all better by creating seriously cool content just for you. – $89/yr. value.
13 pages • 5 major areas • 1 offer accepted • A lifetime of memories
Why I Made This Home Inspection Checklist
In 2007, a homebuyer had me inspect 5 different homes before finally buying the 5th.
It was painful to watch. They walked away from each one for a different reason and I noticed a couple of things:
1. Their deal breakers were almost all in plain sight
2. They were all in the same 5 areas
That’s when I created the first home inspection checklist.
To help other homebuyers avoid the same frustrations by giving them a chance to check the bones of a home themselves before calling a home inspector.
What If You Could…
Know the deal breakers and WHERE to find them
Save money on home inspection fees
Save time by skipping homes that don’t fit your needs
Avoid anxiety and stress DURING the home inspection
Avoid unpleasant news and disappointment AFTER the home inspection
Schedule the home inspection knowing what to expect when it’s over
Do this for EVERY home you tour in 30 minute or less
Home Inspection Checklist Table Of Contents
Cracks and foundation movement
Cracks, moisture, and rust
Water lines, drains, water heater, and leakage
Shingles, flashing, rubber boots, and chimneys
Rafters, cedar shingles, and moisture
Smoke detectors, GFCI outlets, wiring, service size, and fuses
Rust, temperature, age, damage
Meet Steve
“With a boatload of money on the line, buying and selling a home can be a stressful event.
Especially when there’s not a lot of information about the home.
So, I hope you find this home inspection checklist useful.
It’s the printed version of my major-items inspection (that sells for almost $400) and focuses solely on the critical areas that always matter most.
By the way, I’d love to hear your feedback. Email me at info@bulldoginspect.com.”
PS – You get $20 off any full home inspection package with your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Why does this home inspection checklist work?
Pareto’s Principle. Aka the 80/20 rule, it predicts that 80% of the major problems will be in 20% of the home. That 20% is the 5 major areas of every home.
▸ What are the 5 major areas of a home?
No matter how old or how big, they are always the same:
1. Foundation
2. Plumbing
3. Roof
4. Electrical
5. HVAC
▸ Who normally uses this type of inspection?
No. The major-items inspection was originally created for real estate investors who ONLY wanted to know if the home has costly, major issues.
▸ Is this only for single-family homes?
No. It can also be applied to duplexes, but once you get into multi-family situations, we use a different approach to source certain issues.
▸ How can I get the most from this inspection?
Be sure all utilities are on, pilots are lit, and water is flowing through the faucets BEFORE you check the home. This includes:
1. Gas
2. Electricity
3. Water
▸ Isn’t this home inspection checklist losing you money?
No. It’s not about the money and not everyone will want to use a checklist. Those who do will have a high-quality resource that will actually help. Either way, it will work out exactly the way it should.
▸ Can I use this to skip the home inspection?
No. It will help you find clarity and avoid inordinate inspection fees, but this checklist doesn’t come close to the depth and breadth of coverage one provides.
▸ What if the home has mold?
If you can see the mold, fix the source of moisture and repair the damage. There are really only 4 valid situations where mold testing is necessary.
▸ Won’t I get this from the seller’s disclosure?
No. I use a seller’s disclosure to supplement my inspection, but it only gives you basic information along with any details the seller remembers. Many times, it’s incorrect, blank, or the person filling it out never lived there.
The 30 Min. Major-Items Home Inspection Checklist. ©2023 Bulldog Professional Inspection Services | All rights reserved.
