Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a home inspection actually?

A home inspection is a visual assessment of a house's physical structure and mechanical systems, including the roof, ceilings, walls, floors, windows, and doors.

• What will the inspector be looking at?

The inspector will check that major appliances are functional, scrutinize, the heating and air-conditioning system, examine the plumbing and electrical systems and may even poke around in the attic and basement.

• What is the goal of a home inspection?

The goal of a home inspection is to uncover issues with the home itself.  It is important to note that inspectors WILL NOT tell the buyer if they're getting a good deal on the home or offer an opinion on the sale price.

• When does the home inspection happen?

The home inspection happens AFTER the seller (you) has accepted the buyer's offer, but BEFORE the buyer actually buys the house.  

• Who is responsible for hiring a home inspector?

It's the buyer's responsibility to hire the home inspector.  Even if the seller offers to share their home inspection report or claims the house is pre-inspected, the buyer will usually want to arrange their own inspection so the buyer can vet the inspector.

• How much does a home inspection cost?  

Home inspections can cost $300 to $600 or more, so you want to be sure you're getting what you pay for.  You'll also want to have those funds on hand.

Suggestions/Pro Tips

• Whatever you do, do not follow the home inspector and buyer around. If there’s one thing that drives both home buyer and home inspector nuts, it’s this.  Potential buyers often perceive such overly supervisory behavior as evidence of a home seller trying to hide a defect and worried about whether the jig is up. 
• Have crawl space and attic entries accessible and available.
• Plan on being "politely absent" (not on property) for approximately three hours to allow the home inspection to properly take place.

Takeaways

• With home inspections, the best tip to gain the most desirable results would be to have your house ready for the home inspector–then get out of the way.