Purchasing and moving into a new home is a very involved process for the homebuyer. While worrying about the new mortgage, old home sale and the move itself, you then have to be sure that the home you are buying does not have major structural issues or other unsightly problems associated with new home builds and resells. To help protect you, here is a mandatory checklist so you know what to look for during the inspection of your new home:

Take a Look Outsie During Your Home Inspection

Checking this area of your potential new home will require a little bit of time and effort because of the nature of the areas needing to be inspected. Make sure to walk around the house and check for any sign of cracking in the foundation or driveway. If you see a crack, is there a tree or plant nearby? This is usually indicative of a root system that has found its way underneath the concrete and is pushing up on it. The last thing you want when buying a new home is a seemingly small problem turning into a a pricey construction nightmare.

Next, be sure to look at the grade of the driveway. There should be a downward slope from the main foundation of the house to allow for rainwater to drain away. Then, look at the yard itself. Is there any evidence of standing water or an inability for rainwater to drain away? For the following area you can either climb up on the roof or use a pair of binoculars. But, you must check out the roof and chimney if you have one. Here, you are looking for any sort of cracking or mortar breaking free on the chimney. For the roof, you are looking for any irregularities in the lines of the roof, sagging areas or shingles coming apart.

One of the best tools available to you as a new homebuyer is to simply ask the neighbors to see what they know. The neighbors will be able to tell you some pertinent information about the house itself. They can also clue you into what the people were like that lived there before you and even give hints as to what the utility bills will be like in your brand new house.

Bring Your Eagle Eye Inside

The interior of the home is a challenge to inspect. This is due to the fact that there are many places for problems to occur. First, begin with walking through the house and inspect all of the walls and ceilings of each room. Look for cracks giving clues to whether or not there is a structural issue. Small cracks are common in aging houses as the ground settles underneath the foundation. Then, check the indoor plumbing. Turn on each faucet and flush every toilet with the lid off to ensure things operate properly. Then, be sure to turn on each shower and bath to check for the proper heating and cooling of water. Also watch the water drain to make sure there are no drainage problems.

If there is a second story, see if you can determine where the pipes in the wall are through the noise made during a toilet flush. Then, once you locate approximately where the drainage pipes are, look for any water stains on the walls and floors indicating an issue. While you are at it, look at the ceilings to determine water damage or leaks from rain. A new home is a major purchase, and you want to make sure the investment is solid.

Finally, check all things operated by electricity. Turn on each light and bring a small electrical appliance with you so that a test can be made on each and every electrical outlet. As you begin, turn on the heat and air conditioning to be certain that the climate controls work properly. A thorough inspection will help you discover trouble and feel confident with your new home purchase.