You will get to know your new house better by doing your own digital property inspection with a property inspection app. This way, you will 
understand your property better by checking its components, testing the appliances, examining the structure, and going through its every nook and cranny. With a personal look into your potential new home, you can see if this is a good purchase, or a bad investment that will become your liability in the future. A DIY property inspection can help you make a decision whether you’ll go for it or not.
Most hired home inspectors have various disclaimers attached in to their pre-inspection agreements and reports. If an issue is found within their inspection, they will endorse you to get a professional examination of your property to eliminate the inspector’s liability. This can be a hassle to many homeowners, who will be required to shell out more cash to pay for an expert’s review. However, if you perform your own digital property inspection and find flaws in the house, you can quickly convey it to your realtor. You can have the option not to make an offer on the property if their answer does not seem convincing.
Performing the DIY Home Inspection
If you’re ready to do your own property inspection, there are a few essential items you need to have:
- Gloves
- Binoculars
- Flashlight
- Screwdrivers, a flat-head and a Phillips-head
- Your smartphone or tablet
The last of the mentioned property inspection tools is the most important one; having a property inspection software downloaded to your mobile device can save you a lot of trouble from carrying checklist notes and making reports. It’s fortunate that the digital age has brought innovations like SnapInspect, which can help real estate investors find their way into property inspections just using their very own tablets and smartphones.
- When performing your inspection, start from the exterior to the innermost part of the house. Check the roof, gutters, water grade and exterior cosmetic functions of the house.
- For the interior, look for insulation, water damages, leaks, ceiling stains, tile checks, and railings. The appearance of the interior should be inspected too. Check doors and windows and see if they are closed properly and does not shift.
- Last but not the least is the basement. Check the pipes, wiring, cracks in the foundation, and the plumbing system.
If you are wondering about the detailed checklist of what to look for, we have tackled the top residential property problems that can be detected with a property inspection app.
Things to Remember After the Inspection
You are only performing a visual inspection. If there is a need to see something beyond a wall, flooring or ceiling, the realtor should be asked to make the area accessible for your further inspection. Remember to inspect the property from the structure up to its contents.
Avoid tripping over electrical breakers. If you went over the GFCI (commonly found in the garage), make sure you reset the receptacles after testing. Leave the property exactly as it was when you found it. If there are problems found, take note of it with your property inspection app and relay it to the property owner or an expert technician and have it repaired.
