Understanding Your Home Inspection Report
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a visual check-up of the home’s accessible systems and components. It’s not a deep dive into every inch of the house, but rather a big-picture look at how things are doing. Inspectors can’t see behind walls or operate shut-off systems, and some areas might be out of reach.
What home inspections can do is look for noticeable issues and evaluate a sample of materials and systems to help you understand the home’s condition on the day of the inspection.
What is Looked for in a Home Inspection?
Your inspection report gives you a snapshot of the home’s condition. It lists deficiencies—which sounds serious, but often these are just things that need routine care or future attention.
Even brand-new homes have things pop up. The good news? Everything on the list can be addressed—and the report is there to help you make smart decisions, not to scare you off.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
The length of a home inspection depends on several factors, including the size, age, complexity, and occupancy of the property. A newer, vacant home may take as little as three hours to inspect thoroughly, while an older, occupied home could require up to six hours to complete a detailed inspection.
What Does a Home Inspection Include? Three Types of Findings:
Maintenance Items
Every home needs regular upkeep.
Examples: cleaning gutters, sealing small cracks, caulking windows.Recommendations
Things that could improve performance or prevent future problems.
Examples: replacing worn weather stripping, servicing an older HVAC unit.Safety Hazards
Items that could pose a risk and may need quicker attention.
Examples: missing handrails, exposed wires, active leaks.
How Long Does it Take to Get Your Home Inspection Report?
Reports are typically delivered within 24 hours of completing the inspection. You’ll receive a link to view your digital report, which is generated using Spectora—an industry-leading inspection software.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Totally Normal.
It’s common to see a long list in your report—and easy to feel stressed about it. But keep in mind: most items are manageable, and many are inexpensive fixes.
Before jumping to conclusions, have a good talk with your real estate agent. They’ll help you:
Understand what matters most
Prioritize next steps
Explore options like asking for repairs or negotiating credits
Line up follow-up inspections if needed
Your agent has your back and can help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind, and I will always be available for guidance.