Home Inspection

Hire a professional to evaluate the physical condition of the property.

Once your offer is accepted, you have a limited window (usually 7-14 days) to complete a professional home inspection. You will hire an independent, licensed home inspector to thoroughly examine the property from top to bottom. They will evaluate the roof, foundation, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, and overall structural integrity.

No house is perfect, and your inspection report will likely be dozens of pages long, filled with minor defects and maintenance recommendations. Your goal is not to force the seller to fix every little thing, but rather to uncover major, expensive issues (red flags) that you were unaware of when you made your offer.

If the inspection reveals significant problems—like a failing foundation or a roof that needs immediate replacement—you have several options. You can ask the seller to make the repairs before closing, ask for a credit towards your closing costs so you can fix it yourself later, or, if you have an inspection contingency, walk away from the deal entirely.