What Is Looked For in a Home Inspection
Published by Cash Flow Deals · Last updated 2026-08-04 · Published and reviewed for compliance by Camilo Palacio, a Florida Licensed Realtor
A home inspector checks the roof, foundation, structure, exterior, attic, electrical panel, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, windows, doors, and built-in appliances for safety issues and signs of failure. The inspection is visual only, so nothing gets opened up or torn apart. It usually takes two to four hours and the report lands within 24 to 48 hours. Sellers working with Cash Flow Deals get a locked net price before any of this turns into a repair negotiation.
| Factor | Traditional Route | Cash Flow Deals |
|---|---|---|
| When the price can move | After the inspection, once problems show up on the report | Locked before the inspection is ever scoped |
| Who scopes the repair list | Buyer's inspector, then negotiated between both sides | Priced into the net offer upfront |
| Risk to the seller | Deal can stall or reopen over items found mid-contract | Net number does not move once it is set |
The Core Systems Every Inspector Checks
A standard inspection covers four cornerstones: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. On the roof, the inspector looks for active leaks, damaged or missing shingles, and signs of age near the flashing and vents. On the electrical side, the inspector checks the panel for outdated fuses or breakers, missing GFCI outlets near water sources, aluminum wiring, and any unsafe splices. Plumbing gets checked for corroded pipes, slow drains, weak water pressure, and outdated materials like polybutylene or galvanized steel. HVAC gets tested by running the heat and the air conditioning separately to confirm both cycle on and reach a normal temperature. These four areas account for a large share of the repair items that show up on almost every inspection report.
Structure, Foundation, and the Exterior
Inspectors walk the foundation looking for cracks, shifting walls, sagging floors, and water stains that point to past flooding or drainage problems. Grading around the house matters too. Soil that slopes toward the foundation instead of away from it pushes water where it does not belong. On the exterior, the inspector checks siding, trim, windows, and doors for rot, gaps, and proper sealing. The attic gets a look for insulation levels, ventilation, and any water staining on the underside of the roof deck, which is often the first sign of a leak before it ever shows up on the ceiling below.
What a Standard Inspection Does Not Cover
A general home inspection is visual and non-invasive. The inspector does not cut into walls, move furniture, or test every single outlet and fixture. Pest and wood-destroying organism inspections, mold testing, pool and spa equipment, septic systems, and well water quality are usually separate specialty inspections a buyer has to order on their own. Chimney interiors often need a dedicated sweep and camera inspection too. If a buyer wants certainty on any of these, it has to be requested and paid for separately from the general inspection.
What Happens After the Report Comes Back
The report usually lands within 24 to 48 hours and lists every issue by category, often with photos. Buyers typically use it to ask the seller for repairs, a price reduction, or a credit at closing. This is the point where a traditional sale can stall or reopen, because the number both sides agreed to at contract is suddenly back on the table. Sellers working with Cash Flow Deals get a different structure. The net price is locked before repairs are ever scoped, so a rough inspection report does not automatically mean a lower number for the seller.
Common questions
How long does a home inspection take?
Most inspections take two to four hours. A small condo can be done in about 90 minutes. A large or older house can run five to six hours.
How much does a home inspection cost?
A typical single-family home inspection costs $296 to $424, with a national average close to $344. Larger or more complex homes typically cost more than that average.
Do inspectors check the roof from the ground or climb up?
It depends on the roof. Most inspectors walk the roof if it is safe and the pitch allows it. On steep or fragile roofs, they inspect from a ladder or with a drone or binoculars instead.
Can a seller get their own inspection before listing?
Yes. A pre-listing inspection lets a seller find and price around problems before a buyer's inspector finds them first and uses the report to push for a lower price.
Keep reading
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.