Your Inspection

A home inspection includes checking for any structural issues such as foundation cracks, roof leaks, plumbing issues, electrical wiring, heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows, doors, chimneys, and more. Depending on the size of the property, a home inspection typically takes 3–4 hours.

Ensure all inspection points are free from clutter, including any closets that may lead to a crawlspace or attic, and clear some space around your home’s perimeter. It’s also important to check the functionality of all built-in appliances, electrical systems, and gas utilities. If you don’t plan to attend the inspection, make sure the inspector has access to the home and that all pets are properly contained or moved.

A home doesn’t pass or fail an inspection. Instead, a home inspection is a thorough audit of your home’s components. In most cases, there will be concerns noted in your home inspection report, but these are strictly informative.

While you can legally skip a home inspection in many cases, doing so could mean you may end up buying a home with major issues that need to be fixed.

While a home inspector may recommend some minor repairs, they are not qualified to make major repairs. He or she can provide information about what needs to be repaired—and that information can be helpful—but the decision to actually complete the work lies solely with the homeowner. This not only gives you the freedom to choose your own contractors, but it also helps prevent any conflict of interest.

A home inspection can affect appraisals for two reasons: (1) the inspector may find something wrong with the property that could lower the home’s value, and (2) the inspector may identify items that need repair which, once addressed, could increase the home’s value. If the inspection reveals issues that require repairs, the seller must decide whether to complete the repairs themselves or hire someone else to do so. If the buyer still wants to purchase the home, they must be willing to pay for those repairs.