Free showing checklist
A fast, buyer-friendly set of visible observations for a showing. Use it to compare homes and prepare questions—not to decide that a home is safe or skip a licensed inspection.
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4 inspection items
Does the ground slope away from the foundation?
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Why it matters: Improper grading is one of the most common contributors to basement and crawlspace moisture.
Are drainage features (swales, drains) functioning?
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Why it matters: Functioning drainage features protect the foundation from water accumulation over time.
Does the ground slope away from the house, with no pooling against the foundation?
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Why it matters: Soil that carries water away from the foundation is one of the biggest factors in a dry, stable house. Low spots or a reverse slope against the wall are worth flagging before the next heavy rain.
Is the visible foundation free of visible damage?
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Why it matters: Visible structural damage should be flagged for a specialist rather than assessed further by the app.
Any signs of shifting or settling?
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Why it matters: Movement patterns help a structural engineer judge whether an issue is cosmetic or ongoing. Cracks that line up with sticking doors, sloping floors, or settling in the walkway or driveway are worth mentioning together, not as separate one-off notes.
Any signs of water intrusion or pest activity?
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Why it matters: Foundations are a common entry point for both water and pests, so this is worth flagging even if subtle.
Is there a visible gap between the siding and the soil, with brick weep holes and the slab edge not buried?
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Why it matters: Keeping soil a few inches below the siding and the weep holes clear lets the wall drain and dry and keeps moisture and pests out of the structure. Grade piled against the wall is a common, correctable cause of hidden moisture damage — worth a foundation pro's eye.
What's the overall condition of the exterior walls?
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Why it matters: Surface condition is often the first visible sign of a problem underneath.
Any impact damage, holes, or structural cracking?
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Why it matters: Structural cracking patterns can indicate foundation movement, not just cosmetic wear.
Do the exterior walls keep a gap from the ground, roof line, and hard surfaces?
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Why it matters: Manufacturers generally call for a visible gap here (commonly a few inches from soil, and a couple inches from roofing and hard surfaces). Not keeping that gap can invite moisture and pest problems over time.
Are gaps around pipes, vents, or other openings sealed?
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Why it matters: An unsealed opening is a small, inexpensive fix now — and a path for water, insects, or rodents if left alone.
Is the exterior door free of visible damage?
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Why it matters: Door condition affects both security and how well the opening seals against weather.
Does the exterior door open, close, and latch properly?
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Why it matters: A door that doesn't operate smoothly often points to a settling frame or worn hardware. If more than one door in the house sticks the same way, it can also be worth mentioning alongside anything else you notice about the foundation.
Are hinges, locks, and seals intact?
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Why it matters: Worn hardware and seals are inexpensive to fix now but lead to bigger energy and security issues if ignored.
2 inspection items
What should I look for?
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Why it matters: Damaged panels compromise insulation and security. Rot or rust can spread and lead to costly full-door replacement.
Does the opener raise and lower smoothly?
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Why it matters: A malfunctioning opener is a common repair item and can indicate worn gears or a failing motor.
Does the door reverse when it meets resistance?
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Why it matters: Auto-reverse is a critical safety feature. A failure here is a safety hazard, especially for households with kids or pets.
Is the seal intact along the bottom and sides?
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Why it matters: Worn weatherstripping lets in pests, water, and drafts, raising energy costs.
Does the emergency release cord work?
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Why it matters: The manual release is your fallback during a power outage or opener failure.
Are the tracks straight and rollers intact?
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Why it matters: Bent tracks or worn rollers cause premature door and opener wear.
Are the springs and cables free of damage?
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Why it matters: Springs and cables are under very high tension and are a well-documented serious injury hazard — this is one to flag for a professional, not adjust yourself.
Is the garage entry door free of visible damage?
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Why it matters: Door condition affects both security and how well the opening seals against weather.
Does the door close and latch on its own, without being pushed?
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Why it matters: This door is meant to slow fire and fumes from spreading from the garage into the home, so it's built to close itself. If it doesn't, that's worth asking about.
Does the door have a pet door or other cut-in opening?
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Why it matters: A cut-in opening can work against what this door is designed to do. Worth asking whether it was added after the door was installed.
Are hinges, locks, and seals intact?
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Why it matters: Worn hardware and seals are inexpensive to fix now but lead to bigger issues if ignored.
5 inspection items
What's the overall condition of the ceiling?
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Why it matters: Surface condition is often the first visible sign of a problem underneath.
Any impact damage, holes, or structural cracking?
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Why it matters: Structural cracking patterns can indicate foundation movement, not just cosmetic wear. A single hairline crack is usually nothing to worry about — a pattern of several, or cracks paired with sticking doors and sloping floors, is more worth mentioning.
Any staining, discoloration, or soft spots?
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Why it matters: Moisture evidence found early is far cheaper to address than after mold or rot sets in.
Are floors free of significant damage?
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Why it matters: Flooring damage patterns can sometimes point to moisture issues underneath.
Do floors feel level and solid underfoot?
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Why it matters: Sloping or soft floors can indicate structural settling or subfloor damage worth a closer look — especially if it lines up with anything you noticed about the foundation.
Any signs of past or current moisture?
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Why it matters: Flooring is often where hidden moisture problems become visible first.
As you walk the floors, are they solid underfoot — no soft, springy, or bouncy spots?
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Why it matters: A soft or bouncy spot usually means the subfloor below has been weakened — commonly by a slow leak. Walking the floors and noting where they give is a simple check that points a pro to a hidden problem.
Is the interior door free of visible damage?
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Why it matters: Door condition affects both security and how well the opening seals against weather.
Does the interior door open, close, and latch properly?
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Why it matters: A door that doesn't operate smoothly often points to a settling frame or worn hardware. If more than one door in the house sticks the same way, it can also be worth mentioning alongside anything else you notice about the foundation.
Are hinges, locks, and seals intact?
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Why it matters: Worn hardware and seals are inexpensive to fix now but lead to bigger energy and security issues if ignored.
Is the window free of visible damage?
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Why it matters: Fogged glass usually means a failed seal between panes, which only gets worse over time.
Does it open, close, and lock properly?
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Why it matters: Operable windows matter for everyday use, but in a bedroom they also matter for getting out during an emergency. A painted-shut or barred bedroom window with no quick-release is worth flagging clearly, not just noting as a maintenance item.
Are the seals and caulking intact?
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Why it matters: Failed seals are a leading cause of water intrusion and energy loss around openings.
Is this window within 18" of the floor, near a door, or near a tub/shower?
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Why it matters: Certain locations require tempered (safety) glass so it breaks into small, dull pieces instead of sharp shards if broken. Worth asking whether this pane is safety-rated if it's in one of these spots.
Are cabinets free of significant damage?
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Why it matters: Water damage at the cabinet base often indicates a past or current plumbing leak nearby — this is exactly the kind of hidden leak that can go unnoticed longer than a visible drip, so it's worth a closer look at the plumbing underneath.
Do doors and drawers open and close properly?
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Why it matters: Function issues are usually minor, but worth noting for a buyer's overall impression of the kitchen.
Are the upper cabinets solidly attached to the wall, with no water damage under the sink?
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Why it matters: Loaded upper cabinets carry real weight, and the base cabinet under the sink is the first place a slow plumbing leak shows up. Both are easy to see and worth flagging early.
1 inspection items
Does the decking appear straight, without sagging?
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Why it matters: Sagging decking can indicate long-term water damage or structural overloading.
Any staining or signs of rot on the underside?
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Why it matters: Staining on the decking is often the earliest visible sign of a roof leak from above. Seeing daylight through the deck is about as clear a sign as there is — the same gap that lets light in can also let water and pests in.
Are there visible nail pops or protrusions?
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Why it matters: Nail pops are usually cosmetic but can eventually work through the roofing material above.
From a safe attic-access opening, do you see any daylight or gaps through the roof decking?
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Why it matters: Daylight coming through the decking means an open path for water and a likely active leak — one of the clearest signs to have a roofer look before the next rain. Record what's visible from the opening, and do not step into the attic.
2 inspection items
What condition is the roof covering in overall, and what type is it?
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Why it matters: Material condition is the clearest indicator of how much service life the roof has left, and different roof types age and fail in different ways — noting the type helps set expectations.
Any significant granule loss (for shingles)?
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Why it matters: Granule loss accelerates aging and reduces the roof's protection from UV and water.
Any missing, lifted, or damaged sections?
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Why it matters: Missing or lifted sections are active entry points for water and should be addressed promptly. A crack near a tile corner alone is common on tile roofs and usually not a concern by itself — it's multiple cracks, or cracks combined with other issues, that's worth a closer look.
Does the installation look proper (single layer, etc.)?
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Why it matters: Multiple roofing layers can hide problems and affect how repairs or replacement are priced.
Is the overall roof structure free of visible damage?
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Why it matters: Visible sagging or deflection can reflect damaged decking, framing, prolonged moisture, or overloading. Record the view and route it to a licensed inspector rather than trying to diagnose the cause.
From a safe ground-level view, does any roof section look deflected, shifted, or out of plane?
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Why it matters: A roof shape that is visibly out of plane deserves professional evaluation. Ground-level observation cannot establish whether the cause is cosmetic, structural, or active.
Are there visible exterior signs of storm impact or a path where water could enter?
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Why it matters: Storm damage and displaced flashing can create hidden leak paths. A safe buyer pre-screen can document the indicator, but a licensed inspector should determine extent and next steps.
4 inspection items
Can you locate and read the unit's data plate?
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Why it matters: Age strongly predicts both efficiency and remaining service life. Older R-22 systems are worth noting too — that refrigerant is being phased out, so service and recharges have gotten more expensive over time even on a unit that's otherwise fine.
Is the insulation on refrigerant lines intact?
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Why it matters: Damaged line insulation reduces efficiency; oily residue can indicate a refrigerant leak.
Is condensate draining properly?
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Why it matters: A failed condensate system causes the same kind of ceiling or wall staining as a roof leak, just from indoor equipment instead — worth connecting the dots if you've noticed a ceiling stain nearby.
Is airflow consistent across the vents you can check?
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Why it matters: Inconsistent airflow can point to duct issues or a failing blower motor. A register inside the garage is also worth a second look — it can potentially draw exhaust or stored fumes into the home's air.
Photograph the unit's data plate — does the panel breaker match the 'Max Fuse/Breaker' size it lists?
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Why it matters: The outdoor unit's data plate lists the largest breaker or fuse the manufacturer built the equipment and its wiring to handle (labeled 'Maximum Fuse/Breaker' or 'Max Overcurrent Protection'). A breaker rated above that number won't trip when it should, so the circuit isn't protected to the manufacturer's specification. You can read the breaker's amperage right off its switch with the panel cover on and compare it to the plate — a photo of the data plate makes the comparison easy and gives a licensed electrician or HVAC pro exactly what they need to correct a mismatch.
Without opening or removing any panel cover, is the outside of the electrical panel free of visible hazards?
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Why it matters: Rust, scorching, heat, unusual sounds, or an existing opening can signal an electrical hazard. Never remove the deadfront or reach inside; internal wiring belongs to a licensed professional.
Is the panel somewhere reasonable, with clear space in front of it?
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Why it matters: Panels aren't allowed in bathrooms, and they need clear space in front so they can be worked on safely in an emergency.
Is there a visible ground rod or bonding connection?
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Why it matters: Grounding and bonding give an electrical fault a safe path to trip a breaker instead of energizing something a person could touch — it's foundational to the whole system's safety.
Without removing any panel cover, is the circuit directory visible and legible?
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Why it matters: A readable circuit directory helps in an emergency. Confirming whether every label is accurate requires controlled testing and belongs to a qualified professional.
From exterior labels and branding only, can you identify the panel without opening or removing a cover?
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Why it matters: Brand, age, service capacity, and wiring type can affect risk, but most of that evaluation is inside an energized enclosure. Record only exterior identifiers and leave internal evaluation to a licensed electrician.
Can you locate and read the data plate?
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Why it matters: Water heater age is one of the single best predictors of near-term replacement need.
Any signs of leaking or corrosion at the tank or fittings?
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Why it matters: A leaking water heater can fail suddenly and cause significant water damage.
Is the temperature/pressure relief valve properly piped?
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Why it matters: The TPR valve is a critical safety device that prevents dangerous pressure buildup.
Is there a small expansion tank on the cold supply line?
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Why it matters: An expansion tank absorbs pressure created as water heats up. Without one, that pressure has nowhere to go, which can shorten the life of the tank and its fittings.
Is the vent connected and properly pitched?
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Why it matters: Improper venting on a gas unit can allow combustion gases to enter the living space. If you smell gas at any point, stop, leave the area, and don't operate any switches — call the gas utility or emergency services from outside.
Is the refrigerator free of visible damage and door-seal issues?
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Why it matters: Door seals and any water underneath are common, easy-to-check signs of wear.
Is it running and cold in both the fridge and freezer?
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Why it matters: Confirming it cools is a quick check; if the fridge isn't conveyed with the sale, note that instead.
If it has an ice maker or water dispenser, is the supply line and its valve dry?
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Why it matters: The small valve and line feeding an ice maker are a common source of slow leaks that damage floors and cabinets before anyone notices. Check behind the fridge if you can reach it safely; a plumber can replace a weeping valve.
The app adds property-based local saving, photos, completion limits, and an organized report.
Try the AppYouInspect™ is buyer education and property pre-screening. It is not a licensed home inspection, does not determine that a property is safe, and does not replace an inspection by a licensed inspector. Patent Pending.