What does a home inspector actually look for?

Question 1

Kathleen Militello · Accepted Answer

A home inspector checks the home's systems and structure for safety and condition: roof, foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, heating, and visible moisture, and they report what is worn, failed, or needs attention. The inspection is visual and non-invasive: the inspector does not tear walls open, but they do climb attics, check crawl spaces, run the systems, and look at what is visible with a practiced eye. You will receive a written report with photos, and you should attend the walkthrough. No home is perfect, and every report has findings. The question is severity: items that are minor and normal, versus items that are costly or safety-related. That distinction shapes what you do next. When a report finds something real, we have options: negotiate a repair or credit, adjust the price, accept it if the price already reflects it, or, in serious cases, walk away within your contingency. On the North Shore, inspectors look closely at weather exposure and moisture, because salt air, storms, and older construction make water management a genuine issue in coastal towns. The report will tell you if the home has handled the coast well.

Question 2

What happens if the inspection finds something wrong?

Kathleen Militello · Accepted Answer

A home inspector checks the home's systems and structure for safety and condition: roof, foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, heating, and visible moisture, and they report what is worn, failed, or needs attention. The inspection is visual and non-invasive: the inspector does not tear walls open, but they do climb attics, check crawl spaces, run the systems, and look at what is visible with a practiced eye. You will receive a written report with photos, and you should attend the walkthrough. No home is perfect, and every report has findings. The question is severity: items that are minor and normal, versus items that are costly or safety-related. That distinction shapes what you do next. When a report finds something real, we have options: negotiate a repair or credit, adjust the price, accept it if the price already reflects it, or, in serious cases, walk away within your contingency. On the North Shore, inspectors look closely at weather exposure and moisture, because salt air, storms, and older construction make water management a genuine issue in coastal towns. The report will tell you if the home has handled the coast well.

What does a home inspector actually look for?

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