The Home Inspection
Many buyers choose to have home inspections, at their expense, when purchasing their new home. In fact, many offers are subject to having a home inspection. By having a home inspection, the home’s vital systems are checked, which allows you to sell your home with confidence. The Russo Team will help you coordinate the inspection within ten days after a contract on your home has been accepted.

Items on your inspection report will include:

• Foundations, Basements, and Structures
• Basement floor and walls, proper drainage, and ventilation evidence; water seepage.
• Exterior Siding, Windows, and Doors
• Exterior walls, windows and doors; porches, decks and balconies; garage.
• Roof
• Roof type and material; condition of gutters and downspouts.
• Interior Plumbing System
• Hot and cold water systems; the waste system and sewage disposal; water pressure and flow; hot water equipment.
• Electrical System
• Type of service, the number of circuits, type of protection, outlet grounding, and the load balance.
• Central Heating System
• Energy source, type of cooling equipment, capacity, and distribution.
• Interior Walls, Ceilings, Floors, Windows, and Doors
• Walls, floors, ceilings, stairways, cabinets, and countertops.
• Attic
• Structural, insulation, and ventilation information.
• Fireplace
• Notes about the chimney, damper, and masonry.
• Garage
• Doors, walls, floor, and opener.
• Appliances
• Includes a wide range of built-in and other home appliances, smoke detectors, and television/cable hook-ups.
• Lot and Landscaping
• Ground slope away from foundation, condition of walks, steps, and driveways.

Pre-Inspection Information
Please take a minute to read through the following information in preparation for the home inspection recently scheduled for your home. The inspector will be checking all of the major systems of your home and it is important that they are operable and accessible during the inspection. If any system is not operable or accessible, the buyer may request for these items to be re-inspected at a later date, which may incur additional charges. It is in the sellers’ and buyers’ best interests that the home inspection goes smoothly, and all system inspections are completed.

Checklist:

• Plan for the inspection to take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours to complete for an average-sized home. Large homes, swimming pools, spas, complex irrigation systems, or detached buildings may take longer.
• Utilities, including electric, water, and gas, should be on for the inspection.
• Please provide clear access to all areas of the home, including garage, closets, basements, crawlspaces, attic spaces, storage areas, water heaters, electrical panels, and mechanical equipment.
• Unlock all areas that may be locked or gated, including pool equipment areas, electrical panels, and irrigation system controls.
• Protect all personal items near the attic access. These items may get insulation on them when the attic door is opened.
• Please make arrangements to secure your pets. Areas occupied by aggressive, unrestrained dogs will not be inspected.
• Place all breakable and other valuable items in a safe place to prevent any accidents.
• Provide the inspector with any information that may affect the property or the inspection.
• Provide the inspector with any operation instructions for special equipment.
• Note any systems that you do not wish to be inspected or operated.
• All functional circuit breakers must be in the “on” position. Those in the “off” position will not be activated and therefore not inspected.
• Temporarily remove all child-proof electrical outlet covers. Please take other appropriate safety precautions if your child is home during the inspection period.
• All manual gas valves and pilot lights should be on and functional during the inspection.
• Please set all heating and cooling thermostats between 70 and 78 degrees the day before the inspection. This will ensure an accurate test and reduce the opportunity of false indications or poor performance.
• Provide instructions for irrigation control systems, including manuals and clearly marked irrigation zones.
• Remove any obstructions from all windows and doors; open all window coverings.
• The dishwasher inspection will include a run-through of a typical wash cycle. If you have dishes in the dishwasher, please add detergent before the inspection begins.
• Remove any stored items from the oven and range top.
• Remove any decorative items from the tops of toilet tanks.
• Be prepared for the following systems to be inspected: kitchen appliances, all doors and windows, all plumbing units, irrigation systems, interior and exterior lights, all electrical outlets, indoor and outdoor ceiling fans, pool and spa equipment, heating and cooling systems, evaporative coolers, and garage doors.