When buying a home, don’t ignore physical inspection of the home and property by a qualified and objective professional home inspector, especially a resale home, without a physical inspection would be like buying a used car without taking it to a mechanic first. A thorough professional home inspection lasts approximately 2-3 hours or more. During the inspection, the inspector examines the house from the ground up, covering 100’s of items in the home. This would include heating, plumbing, electrical, appliances, structural components of the roof, foundation, basement and exterior and interior.

Here is an overview to check yourself. However, there is no substitute for the benefits of using a professional home inspector.

Roof – Average Life Spans

	Composite Shingles 15-22 years
	Wood Shingle 15-20 years
	Heavy Shake 25-30 years
	Tile 40 plus years

Electrical System Overview

	Check all of the outlets with an electrical tester.
	Look for exposed wiring.
	Check the service panel for "tripped" breakers or "blown" fuses.

Heating

	Activate the thermostat to the "on" position.
	Walk around the house and check the vents for air flow.

Water Pressure

	Go into the bathroom, turn on sinks, shower, and flush the toilet.
	Check all plumbing fixtures in the kitchen.

Pipes/Plumbing

	Examine floor areas around the tub and shower.
	Check all pipes, especially at joints for visible corrosion, especially at the water heater.

Doors/windows

Open and close all windows and doors: windows should open easily, doors should close easily in the frame.

Drainage

	Look for evidence of pond (standing water), discoloration, sunken elevations, trees that are growing at angles.
	Check the gutters and downspouts.

Structural/Room Additions

Check the year the structure was built, zoning, etc. with the tax rolls or the local city/municipal building inspection department regarding permits.

Appliance Check

	Oven – turn oven to 350 degree F – check the oven temperature in 10 minutes.
	Range – ignite burners and smell for any gas odor, or, for electric ranges, check to see if they are hot.
	Dishwasher – let the cycle run through.
	Other appliances – check garbage disposal, hood/fans, trash compactors, etc.
Call now John MK Lam  604-671-1818

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