01
Home inspection 101: what inspectors check, room by room
A room-by-room walkthrough of a standard home inspection — roof to foundation, electrical to plumbing — and what the findings actually mean for your offer.
Read the guide →Guides
Practical, inspection-led guidance for homebuyers nationwide — from the inspection contingency to state-specific disclosure laws and regional hazards.
02
New-construction inspections: the three phases that protect your build
Why a brand-new home still needs an independent inspector, the three inspection phases that matter, and why the builder's inspector is not yours.
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Radon testing for homebuyers: when it matters and what the numbers mean
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and it's invisible. How testing works, what 4.0 pCi/L means, and what mitigation costs.
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Termite and WDO inspections: what buyers need to know
Wood-destroying organism inspections explained — what the inspector looks for, how damage is graded, and when a finding should change your offer.
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Mold and the homebuyer: when to worry, when to test
Not every dark spot is a disaster. How to read visible mold, moisture readings, and musty smells during a showing — and when to call for testing.
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Sewer scope inspections: the check that can save you $15,000
A camera through the main drain line reveals roots, breaks, and bellies a standard inspection can't see. When to order one and what the footage means.
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Buying a home with well water and septic: tests, inspections, and deal-breakers
No city water or sewer means you're buying infrastructure. The water tests, septic inspection, and questions that separate a good system from a money pit.
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Homeowners insurance basics for first-time buyers
What a standard HO-3 policy covers, what it excludes, and the inspection-related factors — roof age, wiring, plumbing — that move your premium.
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Closing costs explained: where the money goes
Lender fees, title charges, prepaid items, and transfer taxes — a line-by-line tour of the 2–5% you'll pay on top of the purchase price.
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How to use the inspection contingency: negotiate repairs or walk away
The inspection contingency is your exit ramp and your leverage. How the clause works, how to write repair requests that get signed, and when to walk.
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Buying a home in Texas: inspection, disclosure, and foundation risks
Texas seller disclosure rules, TREC-licensed inspectors, expansive clay soil and foundation movement, termite pressure, and typical inspection costs.
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Buying a home in California: inspection, disclosure, and earthquake risk
California's transfer disclosure statement, natural hazard disclosure reports, seismic retrofit concerns, wildfire zones, and inspection costs.
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Buying a home in New York: inspection, disclosure, and older housing stock
New York's $500 disclosure credit, licensed home inspectors, lead paint and oil tanks in older homes, radon zones, and what inspections cost.
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Buying a home in Georgia: inspection, disclosure, and termite country
Georgia seller disclosure requirements, termite letters and the official GA wood infestation report, red clay and drainage, and inspection pricing.
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Buying a home in North Carolina: inspection, disclosure, and the due diligence fee
North Carolina's due diligence system, the residential property disclosure statement, licensed inspectors, crawl space moisture, and inspection costs.
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Buying a home in Pennsylvania: inspection, disclosure, and radon country
Pennsylvania's seller disclosure law, radon prevalence and testing norms, home inspector requirements, freeze-thaw foundation issues, and costs.
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Buying a home in Illinois: inspection, disclosure, and Chicago-area specifics
Illinois' residential real property disclosure report, licensed home inspectors, radon in the northern counties, freeze damage, and inspection costs.
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Buying a home in Ohio: inspection, disclosure, and basement country
Ohio's property disclosure form, home inspector licensing, basement water intrusion patterns, radon zones, and typical inspection pricing.
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Buying a home in Michigan: inspection, disclosure, and lake-effect housing
Michigan's seller disclosure statement, the state's unusual inspector licensing picture, basement moisture, well and septic prevalence, and costs.
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Buying a home in Arizona: inspection, disclosure, and desert housing risks
Arizona's seller property disclosure statement, the seller's duty to disclose, termites and scorpions aside — the real risks are roofs, HVAC, and monsoon drainage.
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Buying a home in Colorado: inspection, disclosure, and mountain-state risks
Colorado's seller property disclosure, expansive soils on the Front Range, radon prevalence, wildfire zones, and inspection costs.
Read the guide →22
Buying a home in Washington: inspection, disclosure, and rain-country housing
Washington's Form 17 seller disclosure, licensed home inspectors, moisture and moss, seismic risk in the Puget Sound, and inspection pricing.
Read the guide →Toolkit
Recommended products
Useful picks for this niche. Know the house before you buy it.
Pin-type moisture meter
Uses small pins to compare moisture readings in wood and some building materials. Useful for checking a repaired area or tracking a suspicious spot after rain; it cannot identify mold or prove what is hidden behind a wall.
GFCI outlet tester
A quick plug-in check for common receptacle wiring indications and GFCI trip function in kitchens, baths, and exteriors. It does not evaluate the panel, concealed wiring, or every possible electrical defect.
Radon test kit for home
A charcoal or alpha-track kit you deploy for 2–7 days, then mail to a lab. A reasonable screening step before ordering a professional test during your inspection period — not a substitute for a licensed measurement when results matter for negotiation.
Drinking water test kit
Screens tap water for common concerns like lead, bacteria indicators, pH, and hardness. Useful on well water or in older homes with unknown plumbing; a certified lab test is the stronger move before closing.
Mold test kit for home
Settle-plate or swab kits that show whether mold spores are present in a sample. They cannot tell you the species reliably or whether a wall cavity is affected — treat a positive as a reason to investigate moisture, not a diagnosis.
Water leak alarm detector, 3-pack
Battery-powered pucks that shriek when they touch water — cheap insurance under sinks, behind washers, and near water heaters. They alert you to active leaks; they do not find slow hidden ones.
Infrared thermometer gun
Compares surface temperatures across registers, windows, and walls to spot weak airflow or missing insulation. A screening tool only — readings vary with surface material and it cannot see inside walls.
Basic home tool kit
A compact set covering the small jobs every homeowner faces: tightening, hanging, assembling, and minor fixes. Enough to handle move-in basics without a trip to the hardware store for every loose handle.
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