Your Home Inspection Guide: The Process, Red Flags, & More!

If you’re a physician or other medical professional planning to buy or invest in real estate, you should know that home inspections are a crucial part of the home-buying process.

A professional home inspection may make you spend a bit more, but it’ll save you from costly repairs in the future. It’ll also give you a better understanding of the full cost of owning your chosen property.

If you’re unsure how to go about the home inspection process, here’s a comprehensive overview and tips on everything you need to know, including the process, checklists, and common red flags.

What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection examines a house or property’s physical condition, structure, and system. An inspector will then provide a home inspection report, noting the findings on the property’s condition, including any possible damages, pictures, and an analysis.

This step will provide enough information to learn about any significant repairs that may be necessary, general maintenance conditions, and the home’s safety. If you’re considering investing in real estate, these factors can help you make informed decisions and choose the right property worth your money.

What Happens in the Home Inspection Process?

After the seller accepts your offer, you may begin a home inspection to check the property’s condition. Here are the steps you should expect during this process.

1. Hire a Home Inspector

A home inspector will take a close look at the functional aspects of the property to see if it’s safe or if it has any damages. The inspector’s role is to help you understand the property’s current condition to help you make a sound decision.

You may hire other professionals to ensure a thorough inspection. They include a structural engineer, pest inspector, landscape expert, septic system inspector, toxic substance inspector, geotechnical inspector, and arborist.

A home inspection cost ranges from $200 to $500. You’ll need to spend more if you want other professionals to inspect the property.

You may ask your real estate agent for a qualified home inspector or hire a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) to ensure you get a reliable professional to check the property.

2. Visit the Property

During your scheduled day and time, the home inspector will assess all aspects of the property, from the roof to the foundation, and write observations during the inspection report.

The home inspector will cover the structural components, such as the roof, foundation, basement, floors, windows, doors, heating and cooling systems, and electrical systems, among others.

Home inspections typically take two to four hours, depending on the property’s size and condition. It will depend on if you want to request more days or time to have other professionals inspect the property. Note that additional inspections will cost you more.

3. Receive the Home Inspection Report

You’ll receive the home inspection report within 24 to 48 hours after the inspection. Note that good home inspectors will walk you through the written report. They can also answer any questions you might have about the report.

Based on the report, you can decide to buy the property, schedule additional inspections, renegotiate the price with the seller, ask for major repairs, or cancel the purchase agreement.

Prepare Your Home Inspection Checklist

To give you an idea of what you should inspect during the visit, the home inspector usually checks the following areas:

• Grounds and exterior structure
• Exterior siding, paint, or stucco
• Walkways and driveways
• Basement
• Garage
• Attic
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Interior rooms
• Floors, walls, and ceilings
• Electrical systems (e.g., power outlets and light switches)
• Appliances
• Heating and cooling systems
• Plumbing fixtures and faucets
• Gutters and downspouts
• Windows and doors
• Stairs, steps, and railings
• Porches and balconies

The home inspector will note any cracks or damages in the visible areas and fixtures. However, note that there are some areas that home inspectors don’t check. These include the following:

• Sewer
• Swimming pool
• In-ground sprinklers
• Drainage
• Landscaping and trees
• Chimney and fireplace
• Floor coverings like carpeting, tile, or vinyl
• Presence of rats, mice, or rodents
• Pests like ants or termites

You may check these aspects with the home inspector or another appropriate professional.

10 Common Home Inspection Red Flags

If you’re concerned about safety issues, here are common concerns you might encounter during a home inspection.

1. Worn Roof

A worn, damaged, or discolored roof indicates poor condition inside and outside the home. For example, discolored shingles may mean water damage and previous repairs. Meanwhile, stains on the ceiling indicate a leaky roof.

Roof repair or replacement is costly, so thoroughly assess it during the home inspection to fully understand its condition. Check if it’s well-maintained, has uneven color or texture, or has missing shingles.

2. Mold

Most homes have some type of mold. They usually form in moist areas, such as in the shower, sink, tub, and even windowsills. These small moldy areas may not be a concern, but molds on ceilings and walls outside of the bathroom indicate a bigger mold problem inside the house.

Prolonged mold exposure can cause respiratory issues, so address this problem when you see it during the home inspection.

3. Cracked Foundation

It’s normal to see hairline cracks in the foundation, but cracks that are ¼-inch wide could indicate an issue. If you see large cracks, consult a structural engineer to confirm the foundation’s condition and ask what repairs should be done.

Other concerns you must watch out for include uneven, sunken, and moist areas. Foundation repairs are costly, and an unstable foundation could pose safety concerns.

4. Faulty Electrical

Old homes typically have faulty or dangerous electrical wiring due to outdated electrical practices like know-and-tube and aluminum branch circuit wiring. Always have your home inspector or electrician check for any faults in wiring.

An outdated wiring requires complete replacement since it can’t accommodate large, modern appliances and may become a safety hazard.

5. Run-Down Decks

Signs of a run-down deck include uneven or sloped boards, rotten wood or boards, and damaged boards, posts, and beams.

Without proper maintenance, damaged decks can collapse and cause harm to you and your budget. During home inspection, check if the deck still has good structural integrity.

6. Sewer Issues

A new or old house can experience sewer issues due to sewer line obstruction or grown underground roots. Indications of drainage problems include uneven walkways, standing water in the lawn or yard, and evidence of water leaks or flooding in the basement.

7. Grading and Draining Concerns

Most home inspection reports identify high grading or elevation around the foundation as a common issue. It’s usually found in planter areas, where water pools or does not drain easily.

When water pools around a foundation, it can cause wood rot, mold, and loss of support. To avoid this, check for water pools, elevated areas, properly connected gutters, and blocked drainages.

8. Faulty Plumbing

If you’re inspecting an old home, check for galvanized pipes, which are silver-gray pipes coated in zinc. The zinc prevents rust, but pipes used for over 60 years may already have corroded inside.

Ideally, you want to replace them as they’re difficult to repair in case of leaks. Plus, the rust can release lead into the water.

9. Poorly Maintained HVAC

An HVAC system stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Signs of poor maintenance of these systems include poor airflow, loud or unusual noises, humidity, warm air instead of cool air, foul smell, leaks in the system, and short cycling.

If not replaced or maintained properly, the HVAC system can cause major problems in the future.

10. Outdated Appliances

Replacement or repair of major appliances can cost up to thousands of dollars. The appliances to watch for include air conditioners, boilers, water heaters, gas appliances, and furnaces. Check appliances thoroughly to know if they need to be replaced or repaired.

Home Inspection FAQs

Do You Need to Be Present During the Home Inspections?

You don’t need to be present during home inspection. However, your presence is highly recommended to allow you to observe the property and the inspector’s findings. It will also allow you to ask questions and gather information to make well-informed decisions.

Are Home Inspections the Same as Home Appraisal?

Although both assess the home’s condition, a home inspection differs from a home appraisal. A home appraisal is required by a lender to evaluate a property’s current market value.

Build and Manage Your Real Estate Wealth With Physicians Thrive

Inspecting and buying a house can be overwhelming for physicians or medical professionals with demanding work and student loans.

If you need guidance planning and building your wealth through real estate, consider seeking the help of financial advisors.

Physicians Thrive’s financial advisors are equipped to help you with various financial concerns that healthcare professionals face, such as student loan refinancing, personal financial management, physician retirement planning, and more.

Ask our financial advisors today to know how we can help you with your financial future!