What Is a Home Inspection and What Should You Expect?

A home inspection is your chance to actually understand what you're buying beyond what's visible on a walkthrough. It's also one of the most misunderstood steps in the entire process.

What an Inspector Actually Checks

A general home inspection covers the structure, roof, foundation, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, and major visible systems throughout the home. It's a visual, non-invasive review, inspectors don't cut into walls or move major appliances, so it won't catch absolutely everything, but it catches most of what matters.

Specialized Inspections You May Also Want

Depending on the home and area, it's worth considering additional inspections beyond the general one: pest and termite, radon, mold, sewer line, or foundation-specific inspections. These cost extra, but for an older home or one with specific risk factors in your region, they can be well worth it.

Nearly Every Inspection Finds Something

It's rare for a home inspection to come back completely clean, and that's normal, not a red flag on its own. The real question is whether what's found is a minor, expected item or something that signals a bigger, more expensive issue underneath.

What You Can Actually Do With the Results

Depending on your contract and local market conditions, an inspection report can be used to negotiate repairs, ask for a credit toward closing costs, or in some cases walk away from the deal entirely if the contingency allows it. What's realistic to ask for often depends heavily on how competitive the market is right now.

Don't Skip It to Save Money

The cost of an inspection is small compared to the cost of an unexpected major repair discovered after closing. Even in a competitive market where waiving the inspection contingency might make an offer more appealing, it's still worth paying for the inspection itself just to know what you're getting into.

Attending the Inspection in Person Is Worth It

If your schedule allows it, being present for the inspection lets you ask questions directly and see issues in context, rather than just reading about them in a report afterward. Most inspectors are happy to walk you through what they're finding as they go.

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