What Actually Happens During a Home Inspection?

You found the house. Your offer was accepted. And now comes one of the parts of buying a home that can make buyers a little nervous: the home inspection.

Suddenly, someone is looking at the roof, testing outlets, checking the plumbing, examining the foundation and creating a report that can feel very long when it lands in your inbox.

But here is the thing: a home inspection is not about finding a perfect house.

It is about learning more about the home you are considering purchasing so you can make informed decisions about what comes next.

At Elevated Home Team, we help buyers navigate this part of the process all the time. Here is what you can generally expect.

First, What Is a Home Inspection?

A general home inspection is an evaluation of the home's visible and accessible systems and components. Depending on the property and the inspector, this commonly includes things like:

• Foundation and visible structural components
• Roof and attic
• Exterior siding, trim, windows and doors
• Decks, porches and other accessible exterior features
• Plumbing and fixtures
• Electrical systems
• Heating and cooling systems
• Water heater
• Insulation and ventilation
• Walls, ceilings, floors and stairs
• Garage and other accessible areas

During the inspection, the inspector may test outlets, operate accessible fixtures and appliances, look for signs of moisture or deterioration, evaluate visible components and note items that may need maintenance, repair or further evaluation.

The exact scope can vary, so buyers should understand what is and is not included with the inspector they hire.

What an Inspector Cannot See Matters Too

One of the biggest misconceptions about home inspections is that the inspector can uncover absolutely everything that might be wrong with a house.

They cannot.

A standard home inspection is generally visual and noninvasive. An inspector is not tearing into walls, pulling up flooring or dismantling the home's systems to see what is underneath.

That means some conditions may not be visible during a standard inspection.

Depending on the home, buyers may also want or need additional inspections or testing. These could include services such as:

• Sewer scope
• Radon testing
• Termite or wood destroying insect inspection
• Mold assessment
• Chimney inspection
• Structural evaluation
• Well or septic inspection
• Pool inspection
• Specialized HVAC, plumbing, electrical or roofing evaluation

Which inspections make sense will depend on the property, its features, the initial findings and the terms of the purchase agreement.

Should You Attend Your Home Inspection?

When possible, attending at least part of the inspection can be incredibly helpful.

The written report contains important information, but seeing something in person and having an inspector explain it can provide much more context.

It can also be a great opportunity to learn about your future home.

You may be able to see where important shutoffs are located, learn more about the home's systems, ask questions about maintenance and better understand any concerns the inspector identifies.

Just remember that the inspector's job is to evaluate the property, so give them the space they need to do a thorough job.

Then Comes the Inspection Report

After the inspection, the buyer generally receives a written report detailing the inspector's observations.

And yes, it may be long.

Do not panic simply because your report has a lot of pages.

Inspection reports can include photographs, maintenance suggestions, safety observations, information about aging components and recommendations for additional evaluation. Even a well maintained home can produce plenty of notes.

Instead of counting how many items appear in the report, look at what those items actually mean.

Are we talking about a loose doorknob?

Or evidence of water intrusion?

An aging appliance?

Or an electrical safety concern?

Those are very different conversations.

This is where having a knowledgeable real estate professional in your corner becomes especially valuable.

Does a House Pass or Fail an Inspection?

Generally, no.

A home inspection is not a pass or fail test.

The inspector is there to report on the condition of the property and identify observed concerns within the scope of the inspection. What happens with that information afterward depends on the findings, the purchase agreement and the decisions made by the parties involved.

And every home has something.

A 50 year old home may have age related maintenance items. A newer home may have installation issues or unfinished details. Even new construction can benefit from an independent inspection.

The goal is not to find a house with a completely blank inspection report.

The goal is to understand the house you are buying.

What Happens When the Inspector Finds Something?

This is often the part buyers worry about most.

Depending on the terms of the contract and the circumstances of the transaction, inspection findings may lead to additional evaluations or discussions between the buyer and seller.

Your real estate agent can help you understand the options available under your specific contract.

When reviewing findings, it can be helpful to distinguish between routine homeownership items and more significant concerns.

Buyers may pay particular attention to issues involving:

• Health and safety
• Structure
• Water intrusion
• Electrical or plumbing concerns
• Major mechanical systems
• Significant unexpected defects
• Potentially substantial near term expenses

That does not mean every item automatically becomes something a seller is expected to address. Inspection negotiations depend on the contract, the property, the findings and the circumstances of the transaction.

The important thing is to make decisions based on the big picture, not fear created by a long list of observations.

What About Sellers?

Sellers can help make inspection day go more smoothly too.

Before an inspector arrives, it is helpful to make sure areas such as the electrical panel, furnace, water heater, attic access and other systems are reasonably accessible.

Utilities should generally remain available when required for the inspection, and gates or areas included in the inspection should be accessible.

Taking care of obvious maintenance issues before listing can also help. A dripping faucet or burned out light bulb might be simple, but multiple small maintenance issues can make a home feel less cared for than it actually is.

Preparing your home for the market before buyers ever walk through the door is one of the areas where an experienced listing agent can help.

The Inspection Is Information, Not a Reason to Panic

This is the part we want buyers to remember.

There is no perfect house.

The home inspection gives you another layer of information about a major purchase. Some findings may be minor. Others may deserve additional attention. What matters is understanding the difference and knowing what options you have.

That is exactly why you do not have to navigate the process alone.

At Elevated Home Team, we help our buyers understand what happens before, during and after the inspection so they can make informed decisions with greater confidence.

From finding the right home to navigating inspections and making it all the way to closing day, we are here to help make real estate feel a whole lot less overwhelming.

Thinking about buying or selling in the Kansas City area?

Elevated Home Team is ready to help with your next move.


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