DIY Exterior Inspection Checklist
Spot major red flags before your official home inspection. This guide helps you identify visible issues that affect safety, function, drainage, and long-term maintenance.
What an Exterior Inspection Covers
An exterior inspection is a visual review of the accessible outside portions of the home. Inspectors are looking for major defects, water intrusion risks, safety concerns, and conditions that can lead to expensive repairs if they are ignored.
You do not need to be an expert to spot early warning signs. A simple walk around the property can often reveal issues with drainage, siding, rooflines, trim, concrete surfaces, and the way the yard channels water toward or away from the house.
Use this quick exterior walkthrough to identify visible red flags before the official inspection report brings them up.
Roofline check
Look at the roof from the ground for sagging sections, missing shingles, uneven lines, or anything that suggests movement or aging.
Exterior wall review
Inspect the siding or walls for peeling paint, soft areas, visible cracks, rot, or signs that moisture has been sitting against the surface.
Downspout drainage
Follow downspouts and confirm water is directed away from the foundation instead of emptying right next to the house.
Yard slope and pooling
Walk the yard and see whether the grade sends water away from the house or creates pooling near the foundation after rain.
Steps and concrete surfaces
Check walkways, steps, and driveways for cracks, shifting, movement, or trip hazards that could signal settling or wear.
Windows and doors
Look for rot, failed caulking, gaps, or moisture damage around trim, frames, and exterior openings.
Faced With Expensive Repairs?
If your exterior checklist is getting longer than expected, you may not want to spend more time and money fixing every issue before selling. We buy homes as-is, which means you do not have to repair a single item on the list first.
