The Ultimate Knoxville Home Walkthrough Checklist

When you buy a home in Knoxville, the whole process is exciting – especially the part where you get to go and look at houses. But when you spend a day or two looking at homes all over the city, it’s easy for the details to blur together. Check out our ultimate Knoxville home walkthrough checklist to make sure you’re spotting everything you need to see before you make a commitment.

The Ultimate Knoxville Home Walkthrough Checklist

Use this checklist as you go through each home – you don’t want to miss a thing.

Home Exterior

You can start your checklist when you pull up to the curb. Look at:
Landscaping: Is it high-maintenance? Is the yard private?
Gutters: Are they old, or do they appear to be clogged? Can you see puddles or dirt erosion near the downspouts?
Exterior siding or paint: Does the exterior’s color appear faded?
Roof: Do you see any missing or damaged shingles? Is there algae growth (characterized by green or blue spots) on the roof?
Porch: How does the floor of the porch look? Are the steps in good shape, and do they have a railing? Does the front door look secure?

Kitchen

The kitchen is a make-or-break room for many people, so skim this list as soon as you step inside it.

Appliances: Are they new and energy efficient? Do you see any damage? Are they big enough for your needs?
Cabinets and drawers: Are they big enough? Is there a pantry for additional storage? Are there enough cabinets and drawers for all your kitchen items?
Counters: Are they in good shape, and do you like them?
Sink: How is the water pressure? Does the sink have a modern faucet? Do you see any visible damage on the sink’s surface?
Floors: Are the floors in good shape? Are they dirty?

Living Room

You’ll probably spend plenty of time in the living room, so check:

Floors: Are they clean? Are they in good shape? Do you like the materials (such as carpet or hardwoods)? Do you see any rugs that could be covering stains or problem areas?
Walls: Do you see any damage? Do they have professionally painted surfaces? Is there a wall-mounted TV or large piece of art that you may need to ask the seller to repair holes from?
Layout: Can you fit all your furniture inside? Is there anything – like a fireplace – that could require extra maintenance?
Windows: Are the windows aimed at afternoon sun? Do they all open and close easily? Are any screens torn, damaged or missing?

Dining Room

The dining room may not be a make-or-break space like the kitchen, but ask yourself:

Is there enough room for your table, chairs and other furniture?
Will the windows let in a good amount of natural light?
Are the fixtures modern or out-of-date?

Bedrooms

In every bedroom, look at:

Storage space: Where is it, and is there enough? Is the closet in an awkward spot?
Layout: Is the room big enough for your furniture? Is it close to a busy space in the home, like the kitchen? Are all the bedrooms close to each other?
Extras: Are there additional amenities, like a fireplace or a ceiling fan?
Flooring: Is the floor in good shape? Is it attractive? Do you see rugs that could be hiding problem areas?