General Informations
Property Adress
Name of real estate appraiser
Contact information
Grounds
Proper yard drainage away from the house
No evidence of standing water
No leaks from septic tanks or leech fields
Yard, landscaping, trees, and walkways in good condition
No branches or bushes touching the house or overhanging the roof
Exterior structures (fences, sheds, decks, retaining walls, detaches garages) in good condition, no evidence of termite damage or rotted wood
Railings on stairs and decks are adequate and secure
Driveways, sidewalks, patios, entrance landings in good condition, and pitched away from the structure
Downspout drainage directed away from structure
Additional remarks
Structure
The side of house appears straight, not bowed or sagging
Window and door frames appear square (especially bowed windows)
Visible foundation in good condition - appears straight, plumb, with no significant cracks
Ridge and fascia board lines appear straight and level
Additional remarks
Exterior Surfaces
Adequate clearance between ground and wood siding materials; no wood-to-earth contact
Siding: no cracking, curling, loose, rot or decay
Masonry veneers: no cracks in joints, no broken, spalling, or flaking components
Stucco: no large cracks (discuss all stucco cracks with a professional inspector)
Vinyl or aluminum siding: no dents, damage, no bowing or lose siding
No vines on surface of structure
Exterior paint or stain: no flaking or blisters
No stains on exterior surfaces
Take a reference photo
Front
Back
Side 1
Side 2
Additional remarks
Windows, Doors, and Wood Trim
Wood frames and trim pieces are secure, with no cracks, rot, or decay
Joints around frames are caulked
No broken glass (window or storm panes) or damaged screens, no broken double-paned, insulated window seals
Muntin and mullion glazing compound in good condition
Storm windows or thermal glass used
Drip caps installed over windows
Additional remarks
Interior Rooms
Floors, walls, and ceilings appear straight and plumb and level
No stains on floors, walls, or ceilings
Flooring materials in good condition
No significant cracks in walls or ceilings
Windows and exterior doors operate easily and latch properly, no broken glass, no sashes painted shut, no decay; windows and doors have weather-stripping, "weep holes" installed
Interior doors operate easily and latch properly, no damage or decay, no broken hardware
Paint, wall covering, and paneling in good condition
Wood trim installed well and in good condition
Lights and switches operate properly
Adequate number of three-pronged electrical outlets in each room
Electrical outlets test properly (spot check)
Heating/cooling source in each habitable room
Evidence of adequate insulation in walls
Fireplace: no cracking or damaged masonry, no evidence of back-drafting (staining on fireplace façade), damper operates properly, flue has been cleaned, flue is lined
Additional remarks
Kitchen
Water flow in sink adequate
No excessive rust or deterioration on garbage disposal or waste pipes
Built-in appliances operate properly
Cabinets in good condition: doors and drawers operate properly
Working exhaust fan that is vented to the exterior of the building
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter ("GFCI") protection for electrical outlets within 6 feet of the sink(s)
Dishwasher: drains properly, no leaks, baskets, door spring operates properly
No leaks in pipes under sinks
The floor in the cabinet under sink solid, no stains or decay
Additional remarks
Bathrooms
Working exhaust fan that doesn't terminate in the attic space
Adequate flow and pressure at all fixtures
Sink, tub, and shower drain properly
Plumbing and cabinet floor under the sink in good condition
If the sink is metal, it shows no signs of rust, overflow drain doesn't leak
Toilet operates properly
Toilet stable, no rocking, no stains around the base
Caulking in good condition inside and outside of the tub and shower area
Tub or shower tiles secure, wall surface solid
No stains or evidence of past leaking around base of bath or shower
Additional remarks
Miscellaneous
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required by local ordinances
Stairway treads and risers solid
Stair handrails where needed and in good condition
Automatic garage door opener operates properly, stops properly for obstacles
Additional remarks
Basement or Mechanical Room
No evidence of moisture
Exposed foundation; no stains no major cracks, no flaking, no efflorescence
Visible structural wood: no sagging, no damage, no decay, no stains, no damage from insects, sills attached to the foundation with anchor bolts
Insulation at rim/band joists
Additional remarks
Crawl Space
Adequately vented to exterior
Insulation on exposed water supply, waste, and vent pipes
Insulation between crawl space and heated areas, installed with vapor barrier towards heated area
No evidence of insect damage
No evidence of moisture damage
Additional remarks
Plumbing
Visible pipes: no damage, no evidence of leaks, no signs of stains on materials near pipes; drain pipes slope slightly down towards outlet to septic/sewage system
Water heater: no signs of rust, vented properly, sized to produce adequate quantities of hot water for the number of bedrooms in the house.
Water pump: does not short cycle
Galvanized pipes do not restrict water flow
Well water test is acceptable
Hot water temperature between 118 - 125 degrees Fahrenheit or approximately 50 degrees Celcius
Additional remarks
Electrical
No aluminum cable for branch circuits
Visible wiring: in good condition, no "knob-and-tube" wiring, no exposed splices, cables secured and protected
Service panel: adequate capacity, all cables attached to the panel with cable connectors; fuses or breakers are not overheating
Additional remarks
Heating/Cooling System
Appears to operate well throughout (good airflow on forced hot air systems)
Flues: no open seams, slopes up to chimney connection
No rust around cooling unit
No combustion gas odor
Air filter(s) clean
The ductwork is in good condition
No asbestos on heating pipes, water pipes, or air ducts
Separate flues for gas/oil/propane and wood/coal
Additional remarks
Roof
Exterior venting for eave areas: vents are clean and not painted over
Gutters: no decay or rust, joints sealed, attached securely to structure, no bending or sagging, no sections of gutter or downspout missing, gutters clean, no mud deposits
Chimneys: straight, properly flashed, no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints, mortar/cement cap in good condition
Composition tiles/shingles: no curling, no cupping, no loss of granulation particulate, no broken, damaged or missing shingles, no more than two layers of roofing
Wood tiles/shingles or shakes: no mold, rot, or decay, no cracked/broken/missing shingles, no curling
Flat roofs: no obvious patches, no cracks or splits, minimal blisters/"alligatoring" and wrinkles, no silt deposits (indicates improper drainage), sealed tar at flashings
Flashing around roof penetrations
No evidence of excess roofing cement/tar/caulk
Soffits and fascia: no decay, no stains
Additional remarks
Attic
No stains on the underside of roofing, especially around roof penetrations
No evidence of decay or damage to structure
Sufficient insulation and properly installed insulation (moisture barrier installed closest to the heated area of the house)
Adequate ventilation, clear path into the attic for air entering through soffit vents, adequately sized gable end louvers, all mechanical ventilation operational
No plumbing, exhaust or appliance vents terminating in attic
No open electrical splices
Additional remarks
Confirmation
Comments and observations
Real estate appraiser's signature
Date
