Homebuyer’s chapter
Use inspections to understand the property
An appraisal is not a substitute for a condition inspection.
Choose the right help
Ask about the inspector's qualifications, scope, sample report and any required local licensing. Clarify exclusions such as inaccessible areas or specialized systems. The inspector's job is not to promise a defect-free home. Consider specialist assessments when conditions warrant them.
Prepare questions
Ask about roof condition, water intrusion, drainage, electrical concerns, heating and cooling, and visible structural issues. Join the inspection if permitted and safe. Do not enter unsafe areas yourself. Request explanations of urgent safety issues versus routine maintenance items.
Read the full report
Photos and summaries are helpful, but read limitations and inaccessible areas too. Get qualified estimates for consequential repairs rather than guessing from a sentence in a report. A seller's disclosure and a general inspection can both leave unanswered questions.
Act within your contract
Inspection rights, objection periods and cancellation options depend on the agreement and local law. Discuss findings with your representative or attorney before deadlines. Keep written records of agreed repairs and confirm completion appropriately. Do not waive protections just because another buyer might.
Questions to take into the next conversation
- Read the inspector's scope and ask what requires a specialist.
- Get clarification and qualified repair estimates for consequential findings.
- Discuss options before your contract's investigation and objection deadlines.
Can the seller's recent repairs replace an inspection?
Repair records can be useful evidence but do not establish the condition of every system or the quality of inaccessible work. Ask what was done, by whom and with what documentation. Decide on appropriate inspections with qualified help rather than assuming a repair list removes the need to investigate.