What Home Inspectors Look For During a House Inspection
Published by Cash Flow Deals · Last updated 2026-08-05 · Published and reviewed for compliance by Camilo Palacio, a Florida Licensed Realtor
A standard home inspection is a visual, non-invasive look at the house's major systems: structure and foundation, roof, exterior, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, attic, insulation, and interior components. It typically does not include mold testing, pest inspection, or sewer scoping, those are separate specialist services buyers add on request.
| Factor | Traditional Route | Cash Flow Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection Contingency | Buyer can request repairs, credits, or cancel the contract based on findings | No mortgage lender's inspection contingency standing between contract and closing |
| Repair Negotiation | Common back-and-forth after the report, can restart price discussions | Condition is priced in before any inspection happens, not renegotiated after |
| Risk of Deal Falling Through | A serious finding, foundation, roof, electrical, can kill the deal entirely | Structural issues get evaluated and priced, not used as a last-minute exit |
The Standard Inspection Scope
Home inspection standards of practice, like the ones published by InterNACHI and ASHI, define a general inspection as a visual, non-invasive review of readily accessible systems and components. The inspector isn't opening walls or moving furniture, they're evaluating what's visible and reachable.
Structural and Exterior
Foundation cracks, grading and drainage away from the house, siding condition, and roof condition all get checked, usually from the ground or a ladder rather than by walking the roof itself.
Systems: Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC
The inspector tests outlets and the panel for obvious issues, runs water at fixtures to check for leaks and drainage, and checks that HVAC equipment turns on and responds to the thermostat. This is a functional check, not a full diagnostic teardown.
What's Not Included
Mold testing, wood-destroying insect inspection, radon testing, pool equipment, and sewer line scoping are typically excluded from a general inspection unless specifically added as a separate service.
What Happens After the Inspection Report
The buyer reviews the findings and can request repairs, a credit, or in some cases walk away, depending on how the contract's inspection contingency is written.
Selling With Inspection Risk
Every financed sale carries the risk that a serious inspection finding reopens the price conversation, or worse, ends it. A sale structured without that contingency removes that specific point of failure.
Common questions
Do home inspectors check the roof?
Yes, typically from the ground or a ladder rather than by walking on it, unless conditions make that unsafe.
Do inspectors test for mold or pests?
A general home inspection usually doesn't include mold testing or a wood-destroying-organism inspection, those are separate specialist services.
How long does a home inspection take?
Typically two to four hours, depending on the size and age of the house, per ASHI guidance.
Is a home inspection required to sell?
It's not legally required, but a financed buyer will almost always request one as part of their loan process.
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What this means for your options
Every path to selling a house has real tradeoffs. Cash Flow Deals is built for the middle: faster than a traditional listing, more money than a cash investor.
Wait and see
Keep the property as-is and hope conditions improve. The mortgage, insurance, and upkeep keep costing money while you wait, with no set date for things to turn around.
List with a traditional agent
Standard MLS listing, typically 5-6% in commission, and a financed buyer whose deal depends on appraisal, inspection, and lender approval — any of which can fall through after weeks on market.
Sell to Cash Flow Deals
No repairs, no showings, no financing contingency on your side — our novation structure connects you with a bank-financed buyer at a price locked at signing. Usually within one business day.
See your selling options before you decide anything.