Inspection day is an exciting milestone. You’ve found a home that fits your needs — right size, right price, right location. Now it’s time to understand the condition of what you're buying. Here’s what to expect and how to make the most of it.

We Start Early

We typically begin in the morning to beat the heat and get a clear read on the home while it's quiet. You don’t need to be there the whole time. In fact, most clients join us toward the end for a walkthrough — we’ll text you when we’re getting close if you’d like.

Who Should Attend?

We welcome your Realtor and maybe 1–2 family members. But let’s save pets and kids for move-in day. This is a working inspection, and we aim to respect the seller’s home and minimize traffic.

Bring Your Questions

Have concerns about a specific area? Want to understand how a system works? Great — we’re happy to walk you through anything on-site. Just let us know.

What the Inspection Is (and Isn’t)

Our inspection is not about deciding whether to buy. You’ve already chosen this home — everything is fixable. Our goal is to provide a full picture of the home's condition from roof to foundation, so you can plan wisely.

If we find an issue, we’re required to recommend a contractor for further review. That’s a good thing — a quick visit from a specialist can confirm our findings and give you a repair quote or timeline. Often, these contractor visits are free or low-cost.

Contingency Periods Matter

Your inspection happens during your contingency period — this is your protected window to investigate and negotiate. If a specialist finds more during follow-up, your agent may help you negotiate a second contingency period. This is when having a strong agent really matters.

Common Findings (Don’t Panic)

Some items come up in almost every report. Expect things like:

• Decks not built to modern code
  
  

• Electrical “tune-ups” (usually done in a day)
  
  

• Minor plumbing fixes
  
  

These are typical and manageable.

What We Don’t Flag

We don’t comment on cosmetic items like scuffed walls, chipped paint, or wrinkled carpet. These are visible on your tour and part of your own review. Our focus is on function — heating, electrical safety, attic and crawlspaces, ventilation, drainage, and more.

The Walkthrough

By the time you arrive, we’ll have a list of findings. Some will be:

• Action items: Things to take seriously now
  
  

• Repairs: Things to address in the first year
  
  

• Maintenance: Typical homeowner to-do’s
  
  

It can feel like a lot. But don’t worry — we eat the elephant one bite at a time. You may decide some items aren’t a priority. We'll walk you through the big ones, explain what we saw, and discuss your options. We don’t give pricing, since contractors vary, but Homewyse is a decent resource for ballpark figures.

Your Report

By that evening (or the next morning), you’ll receive your written report. It’s packed with clear photos and details. The Summary Page at the top will call out big-ticket items under three categories:

• Attention Item – Needs immediate attention to prevent damage or address a safety issue (e.g., carbon monoxide leak, active roof leak).
  
  

• Repair – Something to fix soon to protect safety or comfort (e.g., loose outlet, leaking faucet).
  
  

• Due Diligence – Something that requires further assessment (e.g., potential buried oil tank).
  
  

We’re always happy to hop on a call or Zoom to go over your report and answer questions.

Recommended Listening

Here’s a podcast we love — not affiliated — that explains the inspection process from a calm, informed point of view:
🎧 Spotify: What to Expect From a Home Inspection

We hope you’ll approach inspection day not with anxiety, but with curiosity and a readiness to plan. This is the house you hunted for. We’re here to help you get to know it better.

Stepstone Inspections – We limit our day to your inspection only.