Quick notes: inspections & appraisals
Show up informed, capture every finding, and convert reports into action items. The sections below help you interpret results and plan next steps.
Why they matter
Inspections spotlight physical risks. Appraisals validate value for the lender. Together they help you avoid expensive surprises, negotiate credits, or walk away when deal-breakers surface.
Typical costs
Home inspection
$350–$600 for a standard inspection. Add sewer, foundation, or roof specialists as needed.
Appraisal
$300–$450. Required by lenders to confirm the contract price aligns with market value.
What inspectors scrutinize
Structure & foundation
Look for cracks, settlement, or moisture intrusion. Structural fixes can become five-figure projects.
Roof & exterior
Document roof age, flashing, gutters, and siding. Plan replacements every 20–30 years depending on material.
Water & plumbing
Leaks, drainage, and sewer lines. Order a sewer scope for older homes or trees near the lateral line.
Electrical & HVAC
Check for outdated wiring, undersized panels, and inefficient heating/cooling systems.
Mold & air quality
Identify spores early. Mitigation requires eliminating moisture sources and may demand professional remediation.
Mitigation playbook
- Stabilize foundations with piering or slabjacking and regrade soil to divert water.
- Address water intrusion by upgrading gutters, French drains, and sump pumps.
- Repair plumbing issues and inspect sewer laterals with cameras to prevent backups.
- Schedule mold remediation once leaks are fixed and humidity is controlled.
- Budget proactively for roof replacement and electrical upgrades when systems near end-of-life.
What’s usually excluded
Plan specialty inspections for items outside a standard scope:
- Pools and spas
- Sewer lines (camera scope)
- Asbestos and lead paint testing
- Septic systems and wells
How inspectors grade issues
- Functional (F): No action required.
- Not inspected (NI): Inaccessible—schedule a follow-up.
- Additional evaluation (AE): Hire a specialist for deeper analysis.
- Deferred maintenance (DM): Working now, but near end of life. Plan budget.
- Safety concern (S): Immediate fix recommended for health or safety.
- General repair (R): Needs repair soon, though not an emergency.
- Defect (D): Major issue—use for renegotiation or contingency decisions.
Turn findings into action
Upload your inspection report, assign owners to each issue, and track negotiations and repairs in your dashboard.
Log inspection findings