First-Time Buyers

Home Inspections: What to Expect and Why They Matter

May 2026 · 4 min read

A home inspection is a professional once-over of the house you are buying. It is not required by your lender, but it is one of the smartest few hundred dollars a buyer can spend.

What an inspector checks

Roof, gutters, and visible structure
Plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling
Appliances, windows, and doors
Signs of water damage, mold, or pests

What it costs

A standard inspection commonly runs a few hundred dollars depending on the size of the home and your area. Specialty checks like radon, sewer line, or termite may cost extra.

How to use the report

An inspection is not pass or fail. It is information. If it finds real issues, you can ask the seller to fix them, offer a credit, or in some cases renegotiate or walk away if you have an inspection contingency.

An inspection is about your safety and budget, not your loan approval. Even on a great-looking home, it is worth doing.

This article is general education, not financial, legal, or tax advice, and not a commitment to lend. Loan programs, rates, and requirements vary by lender, county, and borrower and can change. Talk with a licensed loan officer about your specific situation.

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