How much do you know about home inspections?

Washington Post

19-04-2025

One of the most important steps home buyers can take — especially first-timers — is to have a thorough inspection before they finalize their purchase. Whether you have plenty of experience from owning a home and understanding its systems, or you've always relied on your landlord to fix any issues, it's best to know the quirks and potential problems of any property to avoid starring in your own version of the 1980s movie 'The Money Pit.'
Take this quiz to see if you know what to do before, during and after a home inspection.
No. 'The home inspection is an opportunity for the buyer to gain valuable insight into the condition of the home from their home inspector,' said Anslie Stokes, a Realtor with Corcoran McEnearney in Washington.
'Having the seller hovering around will not help the process. But a seller should make accessing the roof, main water shut off, break panel, etc. as clear as possible. And both the seller and listing agent should be readily available by phone for questions.'
No. 'Don't be silly,' said Morgan Knull, an associate broker with RE/Max Gateway in Washington. 'A home inspection is not a license to renovate at a seller's expense.'
However, Stokes said it depends on what your contract says.
'If your inspection contingency allows you to request repairs or credits in lieu of repairs then you can certainly ask, but you should likely expect pushback if the dishwasher is still functioning properly,' Stokes said.
Yes 'There is generally no prohibition on asking for repair records but also generally no obligation on a seller's part to provide them,' Stokes said. 'That being said, transparency builds trust so ideally the seller would be open to providing any information that can help alleviate concerns.'
Knull recommended asking the inspector to use a moisture meter to detect any active moisture presence under the sink.
No 'Sometimes accessing a roof isn't a possibility for an inspector — weather, roofing types and association rules prevent us from walking many roofs,' said Andrew 'Drew' McNeill, owner of D.C. Home Authority, a home inspection service in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. 'However, that doesn't mean an inspector can't assess the roof and give valuable information as to age, type and average life expectancy.'
Knull suggested that the inspector buy a drone.
'Or borrow one from a teenager,' he said.
Although it may not be necessary, if your contract allows for it and you're worried about the roof, you can hire a roofing inspector or company for an additional assessment, Stokes said.
No 'A good home inspection will include a review of the electrical system and note any visible defects or concerns,' Stokes said. 'It cannot, however, provide a guarantee that the house is safe to live in because the scope of the inspection is largely limited to what the inspector can visually see or test with limited tools.'
On the other hand, McNeill said inspectors can get a general idea about the quality of the electrical system.
'Home inspectors cannot see through walls any better than you can, however by looking at the main panel and the sub-panels to assess wiring types and workmanship — and by testing the system — we can generate a pretty good idea as to whether the system has been updated,' McNeill said.
No 'Cracks in foundations can be concerning, or not that big of a deal,' McNeill said. 'It depends upon the size and type of the crack. If it is one of concern, generally inspectors will suggest a structural engineer to come for further investigation and evaluation.'
What you do next depends on how much you like the house, Knull said.
'The next step for buyers is a costly structural analysis to determine the cause and correction of the crack,' he said.
No 'It's not a 'problem'; it's a discretionary home improvement that a buyer can make after a purchase,' Knull said.
But, as with most home inspection issues, what you do depends on your contract.
'If your inspection contingency allows you to request repairs or credits in lieu of repairs, then you can certainly ask for the seller to insulate these pipes,' Stokes said. 'But all repairs or credits for repairs are generally negotiable between the buyer and the seller. It's unlikely that the seller 'must' make this repair unless they want to satisfy the buyer so the contract does not become void.'
No 'Windows not latching are something that we come across all the time, particularly in homes with historic windows, but what is or is not a dealbreaker for anyone is a highly personal issue,' McNeill said.
Stokes said whether it's a dealbreaker depends on the circumstances.
'Is the house a complete fixer-upper and the buyer is planning to replace all the windows anyway? If so then no, this is not likely to be a dealbreaker,' she said. 'Is the house in a historic district where window replacements or repairs must be approved by a historic commission? If so, then the cost of repairing or replacing the windows could be extremely expensive and the buyer might think twice about proceeding with the contract.'
Yes 'Buyers are responsible for all inspection costs,' Knull said. 'But instead of a sewer scope, why not propose a home inspection deliverable for the seller that says, 'Laundry room sink to drain properly at time of closing.''
Stokes recommends asking the seller to investigate and clear the blockage, which could be something as simple as a clog. If it's an older house without an obvious clog, then a sewer scope might be required to see if the main waste line for the house needs to be replaced.
'These kinds of situations are when it is absolutely critical to have knowledgeable agents representing both parties so the issue can be negotiated fairly and fully resolved so that no litigation issues arise post-settlement,' Stokes said.
No 'Permit information is largely public information in D.C., so the buyer can see what records exist online through the Department of Buildings portal,' Stokes said. 'That being said, just because a permit was issued does not mean the deck is 'legal' or 'up to code.''
However, Knull said, if there's a code violation citation that is active and unresolved, that is treated as a title issue that must be addressed.