{"id":22479,"date":"2021-03-17T14:34:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T21:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=22479"},"modified":"2025-10-02T18:56:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T01:56:59","slug":"buyer-home-inspection-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-home-inspection-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Prepared: A Homebuyer\u2019s Inspection Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve found your dream home, you\u2019ve made an offer, and your offer has been accepted! That in itself feels like cause for celebration! But don\u2019t break out the champagne and cake just yet. There\u2019s still a major hurdle to overcome in your homebuying process: the home inspection. And to follow along, you&#8217;re going to want a home inspection checklist specific to you as a buyer.<\/p>\n<p>A home inspection is much more than a mere formality. A professional inspection helps to verify that your new home is in good shape before you purchase it. An inspection is the key to uncovering any damage or defects, so you want to be as thorough as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"geo-cta widget-cta widget-cta--content     widget-cta--dark widget-cta--dark-blue-gradient\">\n    <div class=\"widget-element--content\">\n        <div class=\"widget-element--content-header\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"homelight logo\" class=\"widget-element--logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\" width=\"106\" height=\"25\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        \n                <h3 class=\"cta-headline \">Get Your Home Inspection Checklist!<\/h3>\n                        <p>Download your free home inspection checklist.<\/p>\n        \n                                                                    <div class=\"widget-element--gravity widget-element--gravity-inline\">\n                    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar 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California<\/a>, has guided her clients through thousands of home inspections. With her help, we\u2019ve created an inspection overview \u2013\u2013 and a detailed corresponding printable list \u2013\u2013 so you can be prepared for every scenario.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a home inspection?<\/h2>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-what-does-a-home-inspection-include\/\">home inspection<\/a> is a close look at the house\u2019s details, conducted by a trained professional. The inspector goes through a house room by room and step by step to document any issues or needed repairs.<\/p>\n<p>An inspection is a standard part of most real estate contracts. Often there\u2019s an inspection contingency that allows a buyer to back out of the purchase (within a specified time window) if they feel uncomfortable with the results of the inspection.<\/p>\n<p>Usually the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-who-attends-a-home-inspection\/\">buyer and the buyer\u2019s real estate agent can be present for the home inspection<\/a>. This can be a great time to ask the inspector any questions about the home as they see it.<\/p>\n<p>To be perfectly clear, a home inspection is <i>not<\/i> an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-to-expect-from-a-home-appraisal\/\">appraisal<\/a>. An inspector is looking for measures of livability and safety. An appraiser is assessing the home\u2019s value. For example, if the kitchen cabinets are in excellent working order, the inspector will make no negative inspection notes because there\u2019s nothing functionally wrong with them. But if those same functional kitchen cabinets are dated and ugly, then the appraiser will make an adjustment to the overall home value to reflect their age.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22484\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22484\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"An image of two people shaking hands to demonstrate a home inspection checklist.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-complete.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22484\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (KongNoi \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>How do you hire a home inspector?<\/h2>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getinspectify.com\/homeowners\">looking for a home inspector<\/a>, your real estate agent can be a great resource.<\/p>\n<p>Pagano says, \u201cWe ask the buyers if they have somebody in mind, or if they don&#8217;t we recommend somebody to them. Often we offer a couple of inspectors for them to interview and then pick one.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You can also ask for referrals from people you know. Read reviews and ask what kind of training or certification the inspector has. Some states license and regulate home inspectors, others don\u2019t, so you\u2019ll want to make sure you\u2019re researching your potential inspectors either way.<\/p>\n<p>On average, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/home-inspection-cost\/\">cost for a home inspection is $328<\/a>, but that fee varies based on the location and size of the home. There may also be additional fees for specialized inspections. For example, in hurricane-prone areas, a wind mitigation inspection (an inspection that assesses storm-readiness) will add another $75 to $100 to the inspection price.<\/p>\n<h2>What do home inspectors look at when doing an inspection?<\/h2>\n<p>Home inspectors should look at the home\u2019s interior and exterior, including attic spaces, basements, crawl spaces, and roofs.<\/p>\n<p>Homebuyers can tag along in every space that they feel comfortable. This is your chance to put eyes on the areas that you couldn\u2019t reasonably access prior to making an offer.<\/p>\n<h3>Inspecting inside the home<\/h3>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/home-foundation-repair\/\">Foundation<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>Starting from the ground up, the inspector will take a look at the <b>foundation, <\/b>including its material (concrete or cinder block, usually) and condition. They\u2019ll note whether there\u2019s a slab foundation or if there\u2019s a <b>basement<\/b> or <b>crawl space<\/b> with access to the plumbing.<\/p>\n<p>Then they\u2019ll start checking specific components. Cracks or shifting walls could indicate that the foundation has not settled properly. Other red flags may include broken floor joists, dry rot, mold or fungus, water intrusion, and evidence of pests.<\/p>\n<p>In a crawl space, there should be a vapor barrier over the ground. Any visible ductwork, wiring, and plumbing should also be inspected for integrity.<\/p>\n<h4>Systems<\/h4>\n<p>The inspector will take a look at the <b>heating and cooling system<\/b>, including the indoor and outdoor units. They\u2019ll note the serial and model numbers and do a visual inspection for rust or broken parts. Using the thermostat, they\u2019ll test the heat (including the emergency heat) and air conditioning functions. Some inspectors may also note the number and placement of vents (supply and return) for efficiency purposes, and they may check air filters for cleanliness.<\/p>\n<p>The <b>hot water system <\/b>should also be inspected. The age and functionality of the water heater(s) are the main objectives. The inspector should note the serial and model numbers of each water heater and visually examine it for leaks, rust, and insulation. Sometimes an inspector will take a temperature reading after letting hot water run from the tap.<\/p>\n<p>For the <b>electrical system<\/b>, the inspector will look at the electrical service coming into the home and the electrical panel within the home. Overhead or underground service will be noted, as will the security of the meter and main service disconnect. The panel will be assessed for safety and damage, and voltage requirements will be taken into account. The inspector may also test the grounding and ensure that the breakers trip correctly.<\/p>\n<p><b>Safety systems<\/b> will also be inspected. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be in the proper places. They should be in good working order and up to date. If there\u2019s a security system on the property, the inspector may ask the seller for the ability to test it.<\/p>\n<h4>Floors<\/h4>\n<p>When inspectors look at the <b>floors<\/b>, they\u2019re looking at overall condition. Any slopes or unstable points are of greatest concern, but they\u2019ll also take note of the finishes, too.<\/p>\n<p>Any ripped carpet, broken tile, or damaged wood should be noted for buyers, as far as safety and livability concerns go.<\/p>\n<h4>Walls and ceilings<\/h4>\n<p>On <b>walls <\/b>and<b> ceilings<\/b>, inspectors will look for water stains, mold, peeling paint, cracking, and any holes larger than one inch. These problems could be symptoms of a larger issue, such as a roof leak or foundation shift. Trim and baseboards will also be inspected for breakage or damage.<\/p>\n<h4>Lights and outlets<\/h4>\n<p>The inspector will spend time flipping on switches in all rooms, making sure <b>lights, fans, <\/b>and<b> outlets<\/b> are all in working order. They\u2019ll note whether outlets are two-prong or three-prong, and they\u2019ll ensure that outlets are ground fault circuit protected (GFI or GFCI outlets) in bathrooms and kitchens.<\/p>\n<p>However, sometimes the inspector will only spot-check the outlets. As a buyer, you may want to send a friend or family member around to test all outlets; plugging in a night light will do the trick.<\/p>\n<h4>Windows and doors<\/h4>\n<p>All <b>windows<\/b> and <b>doors<\/b> should open, close, and lock easily. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/do-new-windows-increase-property-value\/\">Windows<\/a> should not stick, and there should be no water staining or rot on the sills. The edges should be well-sealed and not drafty.<\/p>\n<p>In some areas, buyers will want to take note of any impact rating listed on the window frame for insurance purposes. Some inspectors may also note the absence of screens or window coverings.<\/p>\n<p>Interior doors should not stick in the jamb or rub against the floor. If there\u2019s a key lock, the key should be available for the buyer. And of course, any damage or breakage of windows and doors should always be noted.<\/p>\n<h4>Stairs<\/h4>\n<p>When inspecting <b>staircases<\/b>, inspectors are looking for structural integrity and overall safety. The steps, the supports (if possible to see underneath), the railings, and the spindles should all be examined for soundness. If there\u2019s any breakage, rot, or instability, it should be noted on the inspection.<\/p>\n<h4>Kitchen<\/h4>\n<p>In the kitchen, the inspector will look for proper functionality of all <b>cabinets <\/b>and<b> drawers<\/b>. The hinges and rails should be secure and allow doors and drawers to move easily. The wood and laminate should be in good shape, and there should be no evidence of pests.<\/p>\n<p>The <b>counters<\/b> should be free of damage and should be secured properly to the cabinets. Caulking around the sink and other edges needs to be in good shape as well. Likewise, the <b>backsplash<\/b> \u2013\u2013 whether it\u2019s a small continuation of the countertop or a material that runs up the wall \u2013\u2013 should not have any installation defects.<\/p>\n<p>All appliances, including the <b>oven<\/b>,<b> stove<\/b>,<b> hood<\/b>,<b> refrigerator<\/b>,<b> microwave<\/b>,<b> garbage disposal<\/b>, and<b> dishwasher<\/b>, should be tested for usability. The inspector will turn on every appliance and make sure all the components work. They may also check for cleanliness and an absence of odors.<\/p>\n<p>For hot appliances, safety checks (such as the tip guard for ovens) take priority. For water appliances, proper flow should be determined, and everything should be free of leaks. Don\u2019t forget the ice maker, if there is one!<\/p>\n<p>The kitchen <b>sink<\/b> should also be tested for appropriate pressure, no leaks, and proper drainage. The inspector will ensure that the shutoff valves are working and that there\u2019s no moisture in the sink cabinet.<\/p>\n<h4>Bathrooms<\/h4>\n<p>In the bathrooms, similar rules apply for <b>cabinets<\/b>,<b> drawers<\/b>,<b> sinks<\/b>, and<b> counters<\/b>. Again, the inspector is there to make sure there\u2019s no damage and that everything works the way it\u2019s supposed to.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the inspector will look at <b>toilets<\/b>,<b> tubs<\/b>, and <b>showers<\/b>. All toilets should flush easily; any kind of bubbling or slow flushing could indicate a blockage in the sewer line.<\/p>\n<p>Toilets must also be sturdy in construction and secured to the floor. Tub and shower faucets should have good flow and no leaks. The edges should be caulked and grouted well, and the drain should flow easily without backup.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, there should be a properly installed <b>vent fan<\/b> present in each bathroom to avoid moisture damage.<\/p>\n<h4>Attic<\/h4>\n<p>Up in the attic, the inspector is going to look at the <b>underside of the roof<\/b>. The rafters, joists, trusses, and decking of the roof will need a visual inspection for water damage, dry rot, and proper spacing. Buyers in some areas will want to take note of the type of fasteners as well (for insurance purposes). Any staining or fungus should be assessed for age and re-examined on the outside. Eaves should be properly vented to let hot air escape.<\/p>\n<p>The attic\u2019s <b>system components<\/b> should also be inspected. Any wiring, plumbing, or ductwork that runs through the attic should be in good shape. Spliced wires are a potential hazard, and broken ducts limit the HVAC\u2019s efficiency. The inspector will also check the quality of the insulation and make sure that kitchen and bathroom fans vent to the outside.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22483\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22483\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"An image of a pipe to demonstrate components of a home inspection checklist.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-faucet.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22483\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Tania Melnyczuk \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Inspecting the outside of the home<\/h3>\n<h4>Exterior walls<\/h4>\n<p>The walls on the outside of the home should be inspected just as thoroughly as the inside. <b>Siding <\/b>should be intact and have correct clearance from the ground (usually at least six feet). <b>Brick <\/b>and<b> stucco<\/b> should be free of cracks. Any peeling paint should be noted, since it could be an indicator of water damage.<\/p>\n<h4>Windows and doors<\/h4>\n<p><b>Windows <\/b>and<b> doors<\/b> should be examined from the outside as well. Damage \u2013\u2013 such as rot, cracked seals, and peeling paint \u2013\u2013 around the panes or jambs should be noted by the inspector. Good weather stripping should be present to help with energy efficiency.<\/p>\n<h4>Lot grading<\/h4>\n<p>Inspectors will want to check that the <b>lot slopes<\/b> <b>away<\/b> from the house to avoid water damage to the foundation. Any erosion or standing water are red flags, both close to the house and throughout the yard. Good water drainage is important, especially during inclement weather.<\/p>\n<h4>Trees and shrubbery<\/h4>\n<p>Any <b>trees<\/b> should be well-trimmed and situated at least eight to ten feet away from the foundation. <b>Shrubs <\/b>and <b>vines <\/b>should be cut away from the home\u2019s exterior to help safeguard against damage and pests. The inspector will look at the health of the trees and shrubs and note any possible dangers to the home. For example: Are trees growing too close to the foundation?<\/p>\n<h4>Driveways, walkways, and decks<\/h4>\n<p>The inspector will check <b>driveways <\/b>and <b>walkways<\/b> for cracks or uneven surfaces that could present a hazard to occupants. Likewise, weakened or unstable <b>decks <\/b>and <b>porches<\/b> are not safe for a buyer. Every outside surface should be sloped away from the house to prevent water intrusion. All steps and handrails should be checked for safety as well.<\/p>\n<h4>Fences<\/h4>\n<p><b>Fences<\/b> should be level, stable, and in good condition overall. Any leaning, wobbling, or loose materials should be noted by the inspector.<\/p>\n<h4>Roof<\/h4>\n<p>The inspector will look at the <b>roof <\/b>for any damage to the materials. Shingles and tiles shouldn\u2019t be missing or broken. Metal roofs should be rust-free; wood roofs should be decay-free. Any mold or fungus should be noted, as it adds wear to any material.<\/p>\n<p><b>Gutters <\/b>and <b>downspouts <\/b>should be clear and secure. <b>Flashing<\/b> around all joints and protrusions should be in good shape. Does there seem to be any storm damage, or has the roof aged beyond its normal timeline? If any areas in the attic seemed questionable, this is the time to examine the roof\u2019s quality from the outside.<\/p>\n<p>Since the roof is one of the biggest expenses on a home, Pagano usually recommends a professional roof inspection in addition to the home inspection. She says that a home inspector may sometimes use a drone to do their inspection, while a roof inspector will get up on the roof to inspect it more closely.<\/p>\n<h4>Garage<\/h4>\n<p>In the <b>garage<\/b>, the inspector will look for any water seepage and foundation cracks. They should also check that the <b>garage door<\/b> operates smoothly and that the auto-reverse safety feature is intact. Some buyers will want to look for an impact rating on the garage door, for insurance purposes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22485\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22485\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"An image of a roof to demonstrate components of a home inspection checklist.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist-roof.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22485\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Robin Kutesa \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What questions should I ask?<\/h2>\n<p>During an inspection you should ask any questions that help you feel more confident in your home purchase. If there\u2019s anything that seems unusual, ask your inspector to comment.<\/p>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/buying\">real estate agent<\/a> can also ask the seller for service records and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?s=seller%27s+disclosure\">seller\u2019s disclosure<\/a> prior to the inspection. If you have any questions about these documents, the inspector may be able to help. You may also want to ask about whether the seller has kept service records for major systems and appliances.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, you should ask your home inspector if they recommend any additional, specialized inspections, including structural, pest, mold, septic, soil, seawall, or pool\/spa inspections.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/whats-not-covered-in-a-home-inspection\/\">What\u2019s not included in a home inspection?<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>A basic home inspection only goes so far. For instance, a regular home inspection will not look inside your plumbing pipes. But if your inspector finds an issue with backed-up tub drains, you could call a plumbing inspector with snake cameras for a more thorough inspection.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that inspectors are looking for tell-tale <i>signs<\/i> of problems. More in-depth analysis could require additional inspections to truly diagnose problems and recommend solutions. Home inspections are limited in their scope.<\/p>\n<p>Pagano says,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cA home inspector is like a general practitioner. If you\u2019re not feeling well and you go to the doctor, they\u2019ll check you out. But if they find that it\u2019s your heart, then they\u2019ll send you to a cardiac specialist.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Home inspectors function the same way \u2013\u2013 if they find a problem, they may refer you to a specialist.<\/p>\n<h2>What happens after the home inspection?<\/h2>\n<p>After the inspection, you\u2019ll receive a detailed report. Often, this document is quite extensive, with pages and pages of checklists and comments. There\u2019s usually a summary page included, so you can see all the issues that the inspector found. Some might be as simple as a broken outlet cover; others could be as serious as an overloaded electrical panel.<\/p>\n<p>Once you receive your inspection report, you should take the opportunity to talk to your real estate agent about the results.<\/p>\n<p>Pagano says, \u201cWe review the inspection with the buyer to see if there\u2019s any other components of the home they want to investigate further.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the type of sale, your agent might be able to negotiate with the seller regarding points of the inspection. Sometimes the seller is willing to fix the issues or offer cash at closing to compensate for repairs. And of course, there\u2019s always an option to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-can-i-back-out-of-buying-a-house-after-inspection\/\">back out of the purchase<\/a> if you and the seller can\u2019t come to an agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, the home inspection is one of the best tools that a buyer has to make sure that their home purchase goes smoothly. So take each point seriously! If all goes well, then by all means, break out that champagne and cake!<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (Theera Disayarat \/ Shutterstock)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your home inspector comes prepared with their own checklist, but that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t bring one, too. Here\u2019s a rundown of what should be on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":22482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,638,641],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-house-hunting","category-find-home"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Be Prepared: A Homebuyer\u2019s Inspection Checklist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your home inspector comes with their own checklist, but that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t bring one, too. Here, a home inspection checklist for buyers.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-home-inspection-checklist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Be Prepared: A Homebuyer\u2019s Inspection Checklist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your home inspector comes with their own checklist, but that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t bring one, too. Here, a home inspection checklist for buyers.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-home-inspection-checklist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HomeLight Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gohomelight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-03-17T21:34:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-03T01:56:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/hl-blog.homelight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/home-inspection-checklist.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Melissa Holtje\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gohomelight\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gohomelight\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Melissa Holtje\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Be Prepared: A Homebuyer\u2019s Inspection Checklist","description":"Your home inspector comes with their own checklist, but that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t bring one, too. 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