Best Home Inspection Checklist for First-Time Buyers on a Tight Budget
First-time buyers need inspection intelligence without overspending. Compare free checklists, paid guides, and consultants to find the best value.
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All articles about Home Inspection Checklist & Red Flag Guide.
How to Evaluate a Home Inspection Report With No Construction Experience
You can read the words but don't know what they mean for your purchase. Here's how to interpret inspection findings without a construction background.
Best Home Inspection Guide for Buying an Older Home Built Before 1980
Pre-1980 homes have legacy hazards that generic checklists miss. Here's the best inspection resource for FPE panels, polybutylene, and other deal-breakers.
Printable Home Inspection Checklist vs Home Inspection App: Which One Actually Helps You at the Inspection
Comparing printable PDF inspection checklists with mobile apps like HomeGauge and Spectora. Which format catches more red flags and helps first-time buyers make decisions?
Polybutylene Pipes: Insurance Problems, Replacement Costs, and Buying Decisions
Polybutylene pipes cause insurance denials and can burst without warning. Learn what PB pipe looks like, replacement costs, and whether to buy a home with it.
How to Read a Home Inspection Report Without Losing Your Mind
A buyer's guide to decoding a home inspection report — what the language means, which findings matter, and how to act on the results.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
A home inspection typically takes 2–4 hours depending on home size and age. Here's what happens at each stage and when to show up.
Do I Need a Sewer Scope Inspection? Cast Iron Pipes, Root Intrusion, and What It Costs
When is a sewer scope inspection worth ordering? What cast iron sewer pipe problems look like on camera, and what a lateral replacement actually costs.
Alternatives to Hiring a Home Inspection Consultant
Home inspection consultants charge $200-$500 per session. Here are five alternatives — from free to low-cost — and when each one actually works.
Is a Home Inspection Worth It? The Math Is Clear
Home inspections cost $300–$600. Buyers who skip them discover major issues post-closing with no recourse. Here's the actual case for always getting one.
Should I Waive the Home Inspection? What First-Time Buyers Need to Know
Thinking about waiving or skipping a home inspection to win a bidding war? Here's what that decision actually costs — and smarter alternatives that protect you.
Questions to Ask a Home Inspector: Before, During, and After
The right questions to ask your home inspector before you book, during the walkthrough, and after you receive the report — so you don't miss anything critical.
Radon Testing During a Home Inspection: What Buyers Need to Know
Should you add radon testing to your home inspection? What radon levels are unsafe, how testing works, and what mitigation actually costs.
Home Inspection for Older Homes: What Pre-1980 Properties Need Extra Scrutiny
Older homes require deeper inspection scrutiny. Learn the legacy systems — FPE panels, polybutylene, Orangeburg pipe, knob-and-tube wiring — to watch for.
Home Inspection for New Construction: Why You Still Need One
New construction homes still need independent inspections. Learn what new-build inspections cover, what blue tape walkthroughs check, and how to protect yourself.
Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Challenger Panel Problems: What Buyers Need to Know
Federal Pacific, Zinsco, and Challenger electrical panels are fire hazards that can block insurance and mortgage approval. Here's what replacement costs.
Sewer Scope Inspection Cost: Is It Worth It Before You Buy?
Sewer scope inspections cost $120–$500. Learn what a sewer camera inspection reveals, when to order one, and what a failed lateral costs to fix.
Sewer Line Replacement Cost: Orangeburg, Clay, and Trenchless Options
Sewer line replacement costs $5,000–$25,000 for open-trench or $4,500–$15,000 for trenchless. Compare Orangeburg, clay, and cast iron failure costs.
Is Radon Testing Necessary Before Buying a Home?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Testing costs $150–$350 and mitigation runs $1,000–$2,000. Here's when to order a radon test.
New Construction Walkthrough Checklist: What to Inspect Before You Close
New homes have defects too. Here's a room-by-room new construction walkthrough checklist covering what to document before closing and at your final blue tape review.
Home Inspection vs. Appraisal: What's the Difference?
A home inspection checks physical condition; an appraisal determines market value. Both are required before closing. Here's what each covers and who pays.
Home Inspection Deal Breakers: What Actually Fails a Home Inspection
Which home inspection findings are true deal-breakers vs. negotiating points? A practical guide to uninsurable panels, structural failures, and the most common findings.
Home Inspection Red Flags: The Findings That Actually Matter
Not every inspection finding is a red flag. Learn which common home inspection problems are genuine deal-breakers vs. normal maintenance items.
Condo and Townhouse Inspection Checklist: What's Different From a House
Condo and townhouse inspections cover different scope than single-family homes. Here's exactly what to check and what the HOA owns.
Termite Inspection Cost: What WDO Inspections Cover and When You Need One
Termite inspections cost $100–$300. Learn what a WDO inspection covers, when lenders require it, and what treatment costs to expect.
Seller Concession Limits: How Much Can the Seller Credit You After Inspection?
Seller concessions are capped at 2–9% by loan type and down payment. Learn the limits for conventional, FHA, and VA loans and how to maximize your credit.
Mold Inspection Cost: When to Order One and What to Expect
Mold inspections cost $400–$700. Learn when a general inspection isn't enough, what crawlspace mold testing involves, and remediation costs.
Home Inspection Timeline, Due Diligence Period, and Inspection Addendum Explained
How long does the home inspection process take? What happens during the due diligence period, and how does an inspection addendum work? A practical buyer's guide.
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost? (2026 Guide)
Home inspection costs typically run $300–$600 for a standard home. Learn what drives the price and which add-ons are worth it.
Home Inspection Contingency: How It Works and What Happens If You Waive It
The inspection contingency gives you 7–15 days to investigate a home and walk away. Learn how it works, key deadlines, and the risks of waiving it.
Foundation Inspection Cost: When to Call a Structural Engineer
Foundation inspections by a structural engineer cost $500–$1,500. Learn what cracks require evaluation, what repairs cost, and when to walk away.