A home inspection is a critical step in the homebuying process. It’s an opportunity for you, the buyer, to get a detailed, unbiased assessment of the property’s condition before you finalize the purchase. This guide explains what a home inspection is, what it covers, and how to navigate the results.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of a residential property’s physical structure and systems. A professional home inspector will walk through the home and create a detailed report of their findings. The goal is to identify any existing or potential issues, from minor maintenance needs to major structural problems.

A home inspection is different from an appraisal. An appraisal determines the value of the home for the lender, while an inspection determines the condition of the home for the buyer.

What Does a Home Inspection Cover?

A standard home inspection typically covers the following areas:

• Structure: Foundation, walls, floors, and roof structure.
• Exterior: Siding, windows, doors, decks, and drainage.
• Roofing: Shingles, flashing, and gutters.
• Plumbing: Pipes, faucets, water heater, and drainage.
• Electrical System: Service panel, wiring, outlets, and fixtures.
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): Furnace, air conditioner, and ductwork.
• Interior: Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors.
• Insulation and Ventilation: Attic and crawl spaces.
• Built-in Appliances: Dishwasher, oven, etc.

The Home Inspection Process

1. Hire a Qualified Inspector: Look for a certified inspector with experience and good reviews. Your real estate agent can often provide recommendations.
2. Attend the Inspection: It’s highly recommended that you attend the inspection. This allows you to see any issues firsthand and ask the inspector questions. An inspection typically takes 2-4 hours.
3. Receive the Inspection Report: Within 24 hours, you will receive a detailed report with photos and descriptions of any issues found. The report will categorize issues by severity (e.g., major defect, safety hazard, maintenance item).
4. Review the Report with Your Agent: Your agent will help you understand the report and decide on the next steps.

What to Do After the Inspection

Based on the inspection findings, you have several options:

• Proceed with the Purchase: If the report is clean or only has minor issues, you can move forward with the purchase as planned.
• Negotiate Repairs or Credits: If the inspection reveals significant issues, you can ask the seller to make repairs before closing or provide a credit so you can make the repairs yourself.
• Walk Away from the Deal: If your purchase offer included a home inspection contingency and the inspection reveals major problems that you and the seller cannot agree on, you can typically back out of the contract and get your earnest money back.