Prepare for the Home Inspection

Check these items before listing your home and minimize surprises at the inspection table.

Amy Beyer Realtor  ·  Grapevine, TX  ·  Powered by Real Broker, LLC

If you're preparing to sell your home and nervous about what the home inspection may reveal, this checklist covers exactly what a Texas Home Inspector is going to look for. By addressing these items in advance, you can minimize surprises, streamline the sale, and secure the best possible outcome.

Foundation | Grading | Drainage

• Corner pops (slab)
• High soil levels — minimum 4" clearance required
• Debris in gutters
• Missing splash blocks, or splash blocks turned the wrong way
• Gutters terminating next to the foundation
• Missing elbows or downspouts
• Exposed post-tension cable ends
• Foliage & trees touching the home

Roof Condition, Structure & Attic

• Attic ventilation — how well does your attic breathe?
• Exposed fasteners, plumbing boots, vents, and ridge cap shingles
• Missing kickout flashings
• Damaged or missing shingles
• Missing, damaged, or insufficient insulation
• Attic access ladder — loose or missing hardware
• Moisture-damaged or deteriorating fascia/soffit trim

Interior Walls, Ceilings, Floors, Doors & Stairways

• Evidence of water penetration
• Seam tape that is cracked, bulging, or loose
• Cracks in walls & ceilings
• Missing or loose hardware on doors
• Doors rubbing or sticking in frames
• Doors not latching
• Missing door stops
• Garage-to-living-space entry doors missing self-closing devices
• Garage-to-living-space entry doors not fire-rated

Exterior Walls, Windows & Doors

• Rusted lintels (steel plates) above windows & doors
• Wood/fiber cement boards or trim needing caulk/sealant on walls or around doors/windows
• Moisture-damaged or deteriorated wood trim around corners, doors & windows
• Missing or damaged window screens
• Windows stiff and hard to open
• Failed seals on windows
• Missing or loose weather stripping on doors
• Caulking around windows

Plumbing

• Missing anti-siphon & hose bibs (exterior faucets)
• Leaking hose bib valve handles
• Loose or leaking faucets/shower heads
• Loose or leaking toilets/toilet seats
• Tubs & shower surrounds needing caulking/sealant
• Leaks under sinks
• Poor or slow drainage at sinks, showers & tubs
• Missing or inoperable drain stops

• Missing pan under water heater (code requirement)
• Flexible or improper piping on Temperature Pressure Relief Valve (TPRV)
• Leaking or inoperable TPRV
• Corrosion at plumbing connections

Electrical

• Missing panel labeling — which breaker serves which part of the home
• Missing knockout covers
• Missing arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers
• Missing surge protection
• Neutrals/grounds under same lug in panel box
• Old/outdated panel boxes with known issues (Federal Pacific Electric, Zinsco, Sylvan)
• Faulty or missing ground fault interrupters (GFCI) in all required locations
• Loose, broken, or damaged receptacles (outlets)
• Reversed polarity in receptacles (wired incorrectly)
• Exterior receptacles missing waterproof covering
• Tamper-resistant receptacles where required
• Missing cover plates on receptacles & junction boxes
• Missing light globes
• Lights not illuminating
• Non-working doorbell chimes
• Old or missing smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

Appliances & Garage Door Operations

• Screens on dryer exhaust
• Lint build-up in dryer duct
• Vents properly sealed to exterior
• Ducts made of smooth-interior metal from wall to termination

• Manual locks not disabled when a mechanical opener is installed
• Sensor eye more than 6" from floor, or missing
• Auto-reverse not working

Pools & Spas

• Visible cracks, damage, or wear on pool shell, deck, and coping
• Proper drainage to prevent water pooling on the deck (slip hazard)
• Electrical components (pumps, heaters, lights) properly bonded and grounded
• Underwater lights and nearby outlets have GFCI protection
• All wiring secure and free from corrosion
• Leaks in visible plumbing; condition of pump, filter, and heater assessed

Sprinkler Systems

• Properly installed backflow prevention device
• Visible leaks in pipes and sprinkler heads
• All zones functioning with adequate water pressure and coverage
• Placement and condition of sprinkler heads — broken or clogged heads
• Proper drainage to prevent water waste and potential foundation damage