A home inspection is an examination of the condition and safety of a piece of real estate, often conducted when the home is being sold. A qualified home inspector will assess the heating and cooling system, water and sewage systems, other plumbing, and electrical work, and look for any potential fire or safety hazards. In addition, the home inspector may check for evidence of insects, water, fire damage, or any other issue that can affect the property’s value.

• A home inspection examines a property’s safety and current condition.
• A buyer typically arranges and pays for a home inspection and—depending on its findings—may choose to move on to closing, renegotiate the sale price, request repairs, or back out of the deal.
• A home inspection is not the same as a home appraisal, which is required and scheduled by a lender to determine the value of a property for which a buyer is seeking a mortgage.
• Before buying a home, you should have it inspected. Waiving an inspection may be a risky decision and one that could prove costly later.