Skipping an inspection might save you a few bucks up front, but it could cost you a fortune (and your sanity) later. What’s Actually Checked During an Inspection? A typical inspection (usually $400–$600) includes a professional poking, prodding, and testing things like: • Roof: Are the shingles more like tissue paper? Are the gutters just for decoration? • Foundation & Structure: Is the house standing because of engineering or pure spite? • Plumbing: Any leaks, old pipes, or mystery smells? • Electrical: Will flipping the switch cause sparks of joy—or just sparks? • HVAC: Is it heating? Is it cooling? Is it older than your grandma? • Insulation & Ventilation: Will your winters feel like Antarctica or your summers like the inside of a baked potato? • Exterior: Yard drainage, pathways, decks, and that charming tree that’s plotting to fall on the roof. • Appliances (if included): Do the oven and dishwasher work, or are they just really expensive storage cabinets? • Pests & Mold: Tiny tenants you didn’t invite—like termites, rodents, and every type of fungus you never wanted to meet. Bonus: If you’re in a high-risk area, consider specialized inspections (e.g., for floods, earthquakes, or tornadoes... looking at you, Texas). Choose Your Inspector Like You’re Casting a Detective Movie Don’t just Google “cheap inspector near me” and hope for the best. This person holds the keys to your future happiness—or at
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