When you’re spending a large chunk of money on a home, it’s wise to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. That’s why a home inspection plays a lead role in the real estate transaction.
If you’re in the process of buying a home, here’s what you can expect to find on the home inspection report, and what to watch for.
What’s in a home inspection report?
Once you’ve found a home you like and presented an offer the seller has agreed to, a certified, licensed home inspector will take a look at the property, and generate a home inspection report about its condition and any issues that could affect its safety or value.
“Your inspection report is going to be quite thorough, covering a wide range of systems and components in the home,” explains Nick Gromicko, founder of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), based in Boulder, Colorado.
If the home inspector uncovers issues, those will be explained in the report, likely with photos of the problem, Gromicko says.
Here’s what parts of the home, at minimum, you can expect to be evaluated by a home inspector, according to InterNACHI. These will be included in the typical home inspection report: