Tom,

Welcome to the board. This is a great place to learn.

I use a checklist to gather my data at the inspection and use that to generate my narrative-style report later.

The first thing you should do is establish a routine and follow it religiously. I like to start outside. I stand across the street and look at the big picture (e.g., sagging roof line, leaning walls, posts, retaining walls, etc.). Then I make a couple passes around the exterior of the house inspecting the site and exterior. (I prefer to go clockwise around the house.) Next I hit the roof.

Then I move inside and start the dishwasher. Next I inspect the major systems (electrical panel, furnace, water heater, etc.). Then I go to the upper level and inspect room-by-room (again going in a clockwise direction around the house and in a clockwise direction in each room). Then I move down a level and inspect room-by-room. By working from the top-down plumbing leaks will be more evident.

The last places I inspect are the dirtiest - attic and crawlspace. After running plenty of water at all the sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, etc. plumbing leaks should be evident in the crawlspace.

If you pick a routine that makes your inspection flow logically you shouldn't feel like you are hopping around all over the place. That said, Realtors and buyers are notorious for asking you to "come look at this" or "can you check this out?"

__________________
"Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
Bruce Breedlove
www.avaloninspection.com