Inspection Period: What to Actually Do

Schedule the general inspection early enough to leave room for specialist follow-up if something meaningful appears.

Separate normal maintenance from material defects, safety concerns, insurance issues, and items that could affect value.

Review disclosures, permits, roof age, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drainage, foundation, pests, and neighborhood-specific risks together.

If repairs or credits are appropriate, negotiate from documented concerns rather than a vague wish list.

The inspection period is for understanding risk, not creating a perfect-home wish list. Focus on safety, systems, structure, moisture, pests, permits, and insurability.

Schedule key inspections early. If a specialist is needed for roof, sewer, foundation, pool, HVAC, electrical, or chimney, you need time to respond.

Review disclosures and reports alongside the physical inspection. A clean inspection does not replace seller disclosures, HOA documents, permit checks, or insurance review.

For condos and planned communities, review HOA budget, reserves, rules, insurance, litigation, rental restrictions, parking, and pet rules.

If a repair request is appropriate, tie it to documented findings and realistic solutions: repair, credit, price adjustment, or acceptance as-is.