Should You Attend Your Home Inspection? (Yes, Here's Why)

Short answer: yes. For the whole thing, if you can.

I get asked this a lot, usually by buyers who feel like they'd be in the way. You won't be. If your schedule allows it, I'd love for you to be there from start to finish.

"The report tells you what I found. Being there tells you what it means for this house."
— Jeff Stalnaker, Owner & Lead Inspector

Why being there makes a difference

• You learn the house before you own it. Where's the main water shutoff? Which breaker runs the kitchen? How old is the water heater? You'll walk away knowing things most owners don't learn for years.
• You can ask questions about this house. Not houses in general. This one. "Is that crack a big deal?" "How long does that AC have?" Standing in front of it, you get a real answer and a deeper understanding than any report can give you.
• Findings make more sense in person. A photo of a stained ceiling looks scary. Standing under it while I show you the dry attic above, and explain it's an old repaired leak, is a different story.
• You see how big (or small) things really are. That helps you decide what's worth negotiating and what's normal maintenance.

What to bring

• Your questions. Write them down as you think of them before the day.
• Comfortable shoes. We'll walk the outside of the house too.
• A notepad or your phone, for your own notes and photos.

What I'll be doing

A typical home takes a few hours. I'll be in the attic, on or around the roof, under sinks, in the electrical panel and, on pier-and-beam homes, in the crawl space. You don't need to follow me up the ladder or under the house. I'll take photos of everything and show you what I saw.

Your agent is welcome too. I'll keep them in the loop on anything that might affect the deal.

Can't stay the whole time?

That's fine. Life happens. If you can only make part of it, come at the end and I'll walk you through the highlights. Either way, your full report, with photos and short video clips where they help, will be in your inbox within 12 hours, and you can call me with questions after.