What Does A House Inspector Look For?
Published by Cash Flow Deals · Last updated 2026-08-05 · Published and reviewed for compliance by Camilo Palacio, a Florida Licensed Realtor
A home inspector checks your house's major systems and structure: roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and safety issues. They're not grading your decorating. They're flagging what's broken, unsafe, or near the end of its life. If your house needs work, you choose between the Fast Cash Offer, where we buy your house as-is and close, and the Premium Cash Offer, where a pre-approved FHA or conventional buyer we already have, ready to go, pays more and buys directly from you. With Premium, we cover repair costs, and we figure out a way, so nothing comes out of your pocket. Only what your buyer's lender requires gets fixed, with repair costs settled from the sale proceeds, from our share. With Fast Cash, you have no repairs to make.
| Factor | Traditional Route | Cash Flow Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection findings | Can trigger repair requests or a price renegotiation | No buyer-ordered inspection contingency to renegotiate around |
| Repair responsibility | Often falls on seller to fix or credit | House purchased as-is, no repair credits needed |
| Timeline risk from findings | Can delay or kill a deal | No inspection-driven delay to the closing date |
The Structure And Foundation
Inspectors look for cracks, settling, water intrusion, and signs of movement in the foundation and framing. Hairline cracks in a slab are usually normal. Wide cracks, uneven floors, or doors that won't close right can point to bigger structural movement that needs a specialist to evaluate further.
The Roof And Attic
From the ground or the roof itself, inspectors check shingle condition, flashing around chimneys and vents, and signs of leaks. In the attic, they look for water stains, inadequate insulation, and ventilation problems, since poor attic ventilation can shorten a roof's life and cause moisture issues.
Electrical System
Inspectors test outlets, check the electrical panel for outdated or unsafe wiring types, confirm GFCI protection in kitchens and bathrooms, and look for exposed or improperly connected wiring. Older panel brands with known safety recalls are a common flag on older homes.
Plumbing
Water pressure, visible pipe material and condition, water heater age and condition, and any active leaks under sinks or around fixtures all get checked. Older pipe materials with known failure history are noted even if they're not currently leaking, since they factor into a buyer's repair timeline.
HVAC And Major Systems
The inspector runs the heating and cooling systems to confirm they work, checks the age of the equipment, and looks for maintenance red flags like rust, unusual noise, or a unit clearly near the end of its typical service life.
What's Not Included
A standard home inspection is visual and non-invasive. Inspectors don't cut into walls, move furniture, or test for things like mold, radon, or pests unless you order separate specialty inspections. A clean general inspection doesn't rule those out on its own. For either your Fast Cash Offer or your Premium Cash Offer, the number is agreed before any work starts, and it changes only if you agree. The one exception: if something structural surfaces that was not visible or disclosed before we signed — foundation issues, hidden moisture, old wiring, cast-iron drain failure — we re-cost it and bring the number back to you. You decide. You can walk away. We disclose what we know at offer time so this almost never happens. If your Premium buyer's loan falls through, that is our problem, not yours, and you can still take the Fast Cash Offer at its own number. You choose which offer works for you.
Common questions
How long does a home inspection take?
Most general home inspections take two to four hours depending on the size and age of the house, plus time for the inspector to write and deliver the report.
Do inspectors check the roof from on top of it?
Many will walk the roof if it's safely accessible; on steep or fragile roofs, they typically inspect from ladder level or with a drone or binoculars instead.
Does a home inspection include a termite check?
Not usually. Wood-destroying organism inspections are typically a separate, specialized inspection, often required by lenders in certain situations or for certain loan types.
What's the most common thing found on an inspection report?
Minor electrical issues, roof wear, and plumbing fixture problems are among the most frequently cited items, alongside general maintenance deferred by the current owner.
Can a seller be present during the inspection?
It's common practice for sellers to leave the house during the buyer's inspection so the inspector and buyer can work through the house without pressure.
Keep reading
Related reading
- Florida Home Inspector's Fix Highlights Wind Mitigation Gaps ›
- A Frustrated Inspector Built a Better Way to Check Homes ›
- What Do Appraisers Look For? ›
- Can You Sell a Barndominium? What Buyers and Appraisers Look For ›
- What Happens If an Inspector Finds Foundation Problems After You've Signed in Florida ›
What this means for your options
Every path to selling a house has real tradeoffs.
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
Two offers for your house, Fast Cash or Premium Cash, and you choose. Cash: Cash Flow Deals buys the house as-is and closes. Premium: More money. A pre-approved FHA or conventional buyer we already have buys directly from you.
See your selling options before you decide anything.