Evaluating homes before buying is often thought of from a personal perspective, but landlords also need to be prepared with a complete buyer\u2019s home inspection checklist. This checklist should be geared toward landlord-specific needs. Follow along with our guide now:<\/p>\n
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- What Is A Property Inspection Checklist For Buyers?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Why Should Landlords Use A Property Inspection Checklist?<\/a>\n
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- Shouldn\u2019t I Leave It To A Professional?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- The Ultimate Rental Property Inspection Checklist<\/a>\n
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- How To Use The Checklist<\/a><\/li>\n
- Staying Up-To-Date<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Residential Inspection Checklist: Landlord FAQs<\/a>\n
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- What is the difference between a house inspection and a rental property inspection?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is most often missed on a property inspection checklist for buyers?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Do I have to have a home inspection before buying an investment property?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Does every problem that shows up on a property inspection need to be remedied immediately?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Ready For Your House Inspection Checklist?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>What Is A Property Inspection Checklist For Buyers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/rentprep.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/What-Is-A-Property-Inspection-Checklist-For-Buyers.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen buyers make an offer to purchase a property, that offer typically includes an official inspection by a home inspector. Before reaching that stage, however, buyers can be more prepared by having their own property inspection checklist.<\/p>\n
A property inspection checklist for buyers is a list they can use while viewing a property to notice and evaluate potential problem areas. Many potential problems will appear on the official inspection, but buyers can make more informed offers by having their own checklist as well.<\/p>\n
These inspection checklists are for personal use and evaluation of the property, and the priorities on any given checklist can and will vary.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Why Should Landlords Use A Property Inspection Checklist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Landlords looking to expand their real estate investment constantly seek ways to choose<\/a> the best possible rental properties. One method used by experienced landlords is the property inspection checklist.<\/p>\n
Like any home buyer looking for their forever home, landlords and real estate investors have specific needs. If a given property on the market cannot meet these needs, it\u2019s best to keep looking.<\/p>\n
Using a property inspection checklist ensures that you discover as many problems as possible while evaluating potential investment properties. Even though more issues may come up during an official home inspection, having preliminary knowledge about what to expect from that inspection and what to offer on a property is vital to your long-term profitability.<\/p>\n
Without a tool to guide you through property viewings, you might find it hard to keep track of everything. Having a great checklist in hand ensures that you are focusing on the right details and keeping track of what is and what is not working. This will be vital information when you try to determine the right investment property for your business.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Shouldn\u2019t I Leave It To A Professional?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
In most cases, we recommend that landlords still get a professional home inspection done on properties they are interested in purchasing. However, that type of inspection doesn\u2019t happen until after you have submitted an offer and are, in many ways, committed in both time and money.<\/p>\n
The point of a property inspection checklist for landlords who are buying is to evaluate a property before they get to the offer stage. You want to learn more about the property to decide if it’s a good fit before making any type of offer, and a complete rental checklist allows you to do just that.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The Ultimate Rental Property Inspection Checklist<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Now that you\u2019ve learned more about why landlords should have a great inspection checklist, let\u2019s discuss what should be on that checklist. We recommend having either a physical copy of this form to complete or a fillable digital copy when viewing any potential properties. The finished list will help you focus your viewing and collect critical intel.<\/p>\n
We suggest including the following information on your inspection checklist. Remember, however, that you can and should adjust this checklist to match your business’s specific wants and needs.<\/p>\n
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- Exterior:\n
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- Siding or exterior finish (type, condition, color)<\/li>\n
- Gutters and downspouts (type, condition)<\/li>\n
- Roof (type, condition, age)<\/li>\n
- Chimney (condition, age)<\/li>\n
- Foundation (visible cracks, ground around foundation edges)<\/li>\n
- Doors and windows (moisture, usability, security)<\/li>\n
- Other structural issues (bowing, sagging, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Other exterior issues (leaning trees, termite rot, standing water, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Interior\n
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- Any mold or mildew<\/li>\n
- Attic and basement\n
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- Water or moisture<\/li>\n
- Insulation type and condition<\/li>\n
- Ventilation<\/li>\n
- Safety of visible electrical components<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- HVAC system\n
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- Type<\/li>\n
- Service records<\/li>\n
- Age<\/li>\n
- Condition<\/li>\n
- Airflow<\/li>\n
- Air filter condition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Plumbing\n
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- Water pressure in all rooms<\/li>\n
- Fixture condition<\/li>\n
- Leaks<\/li>\n
- Water heater condition and age<\/li>\n
- Proper drainage in all sinks and bathrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Electrical\n
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- Grounding<\/li>\n
- Switch functionality (all should be operable and safe)<\/li>\n
- Type of electrical panel<\/li>\n
- Wiring age and type<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Appliances\n
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- Age and condition of all major appliances<\/li>\n
- Exhaust fans, grounding, and correct electrical plug types as needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Rental Property Considerations\n
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- Will upgrades need to be made to attract tenants?<\/li>\n
- Is the layout good for renting, especially when dealing with multi-unit buildings?<\/li>\n
- Are there any special rental laws in the area?<\/li>\n
- Are there currently tenants living at the property?<\/li>\n
- Are the present appliances included in the sale?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>How To Use The Checklist<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/rentprep.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-To-Use-The-Checklist.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNow that you have our ultimate landlord property inspection checklist, you might be wondering how to use it.<\/p>\n
Essentially, the checklist is a complete list of every area of the home that you should pay special attention to. Rather than focusing on the cosmetics, the list focuses on the structure and integral parts of the house.<\/p>\n
Under each section header, you will find a list of things to look out for. For example, take a look at the plumbing section again:<\/p>\n
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- Plumbing\n
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- Water pressure in all rooms<\/li>\n
- Fixture condition<\/li>\n
- Leaks<\/li>\n
- Water heater condition and age<\/li>\n
- Proper drainage in all sinks and bathrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While viewing a potential rental property, you will want to check the water pressure to ensure it is coming out of faucets appropriately. Next, you\u2019ll want to look for signs of leakage and examine the condition of fixtures to be aware of potential repairs and improvements that will be needed. Finally, you\u2019ll want to be sure everything is draining properly and that the water heater is in good condition.<\/p>\n
In each section, work through the checklist as you move through the property to ensure that you are aware of as many trouble spots as possible. The checklist is designed to be streamlined so you’ll have all the most important information, but don\u2019t let the shortness of the list fool you: there\u2019s a lot to look at as you examine each potential investment property.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Staying Up-To-Date<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Working in the rental industry, there are constant changes that you need to know about in real estate, housing development, rental laws, and more. It can be a lot for even the most experienced landlords to keep track of. It\u2019s hard to stay up-to-date in a business that is constantly changing.<\/p>\n
By signing up for RentPrep\u2019s newsletter, you will be alerted whenever we update our blog with new informational guides that can help you stay informed. Additionally, you\u2019ll be able to gain access to all of our free forms that can be used as templates for your rental business.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t fall behind; allow us to update you through our newsletter and blog posts. We\u2019re dedicated to helping landlords like you succeed. Sign up here today<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Residential Inspection Checklist: Landlord FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>What is the difference between a house inspection and a rental property inspection?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
It can be confusing to know what type of inspection someone is talking about when dealing with rental properties. A home inspection may refer to checking up on a property that is being rented out, or it might be for inspecting a house that a landlord is considering buying. The only way to be sure which type of inspection is being referenced is to ask for clarification.<\/p>\n
- Plumbing\n
- What is most often missed on a property inspection checklist for buyers?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Staying Up-To-Date<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- The Ultimate Rental Property Inspection Checklist<\/a>\n
- Why Should Landlords Use A Property Inspection Checklist?<\/a>\n