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The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: SLRadcliffe/Getty Images February 10, 2022 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Ruben Çağınalp is an associate writer for Bankrate, focusing on mortgage topics. Jeffrey L. Beal, president of Real Estate Solutions, has 40 years' experience in multiple phases of the real estate industry. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions an individual will ever make. Our real estate reporters and editors focus on educating consumers about this life-changing transaction and how to navigate the complex and ever-changing housing market. From finding an agent to closing and beyond, our goal is to help you feel confident that you're making the best, and smartest, real estate deal possible. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Home inspections are a key part of the homebuying process. You’ll need to find a qualified professional to inspect the interior and exterior of the property in detail to determine if there are serious structural issues, hazards or worn-out systems. Although in the current hot real estate market more buyers are skipping inspections, they do so at their own peril. The inspection may find a “deal-breaker” problem, so it’s important to review the seller’s disclosure statement and add a home inspection contingency to your purchase offer. Inspections provide you with an expert’s view of the property and help you make an informed decision on the purchase. A home inspection is conducted by a certified home inspection professional who visits the home and evaluates its condition. Home inspectors generally look at a home’s major components and systems (the furnace, air conditioning unit and foundation, for example) to determine if there are any issues that require immediate attention, or that could cost the new homeowner big dollars down the road. Home inspections are not intended to find every possible defect. Rather, inspections identify safety issues and major problems that require significant repairs. The results of an inspection can help you decide whether to complete your purchase or ask for repairs or a credit for repairs. It’s crucial to know what your home inspector is looking for. Doing some homework ahead of time will help you understand the home inspection report so you assess the home’s condition and what issues, if any, to address. A home inspection can take two or three hours or longer depending on the size of the property and any out buildings. Home inspectors will provide a written report, a contract for service and a consumer notice. They typically encourage buyers (or their real estate agent) to be at the inspection to discuss the findings in person and ask questions. It’s best to attend the inspection yourself, if possible. Who pays for a home inspection and how much does it cost
In most cases, you, the homebuyer, pay for the inspection at the time of service. While depending on a home’s location, size and age, a home inspection costs an average of $300 to $450, . Home inspection checklist
What home inspectors look for
While a professional home inspection checklist can vary, home inspectors are focused on a home’s physical components and systems — both inside and out. Knowing what your inspection does (and doesn’t) cover can help guide your next steps. Items your inspector will look at: Exterior
Exterior siding Garages and/or carports Exterior doors Drainage, grading, plants and retaining walls Wall coverings, flashing and trim Driveways, patios and walkways Balconies, decks, steps, porches and railings Eaves, fascias and soffits (if visible) Roof (including chimneys and other roof penetrations like skylights) Downspouts and gutters Crawl space Basement
Sump pump Above floor Windows Insulation Plumbing Attic
Roof Soffit vents End louvers Insulation and ventilation Electrical splices Exhaust ducts Kitchen
Visible plumbing under sink Exhaust fan vents Sink Faucet Sprayer Shut-off valves Built-in appliances Bathrooms
Visible plumbing under sink Any and all fixtures Tub Shower Sinks Faucet Shower head Shower caulking Ceiling Exhaust fan Toilet Interior rooms
Doors and windows Garage doors and operators Installed kitchen appliances Walls, floors and ceilings Ductwork Cabinets and countertops Foundation Fuel burning fireplace and stoves Plumbing
Water heater Fixtures and faucets Sump pumps Sewage ejectors Drain, vent and waste systems Electrical
Service equipment, drops, grounding and main disconnects Service cables, entrance conductors and raceways Light fixtures, receptacles and power switches Overcurrent protection devices Circuit interrupters HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), including thermostats, vents, distribution systems, access panels, insulation and vapor retarders Miscellaneous
Entrance Stairways Furnace Water heater Air conditioning Backyard What home inspectors don t look for
A home inspector generally examines components that are readily and easily accessible. Each state’s standards may differ so check with organizations such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and American Society of Home Inspectors to find out the specific requirements for your area. The following items are typically not included on a professional home inspection checklist: Rodents infestation Landscaping Pests like termites and carpenter ants Airborne hazards such as radon Low-wattage electrical systems (alarm systems and phone lines) Areas that aren’t easily accessible Some home inspectors offer additional services, such as mold or carbon dioxide testing, but expect to pay additional fees for these specialized tests. Next steps
Find the right inspector: Connect with your real estate agent or do your own research to find someone who is highly knowledgeable, ideally someone who is certified. Identify potential deal breakers: Consider what defects would make it impossible for you to complete the purchase. These could include mold, lead-based paint, or structural problems. Ask for a home inspection contingency. This will allow you to walk away from the deal if the inspection reveals major issues, particularly if the seller is unwilling to address the problem. Review seller’s disclosures beforehand. Study the seller’s disclosure to make yourself aware of any issues that could potentially diminish the value of your property. The bottom line
Home inspections are an intensive process that will yield detailed information about the quality and safety of the property you’ve agreed to purchase. It’s important to bear in mind that the results of an inspection shouldn’t be the only determinant of whether to purchase the home, and you should expect to have some issues to be addressed no matter what. Ultimately, the time and effort you spend coordinating the inspection will pay dividends by helping you to make the best decision possible. Learn more
SHARE: Ruben Çağınalp is an associate writer for Bankrate, focusing on mortgage topics. Jeffrey L. Beal, president of Real Estate Solutions, has 40 years' experience in multiple phases of the real estate industry. Related Articles