Home Inspection Tips for Buyers: 5 Things Every Homebuyer Should Know

WISDOM HIS-Michael Hetzel
Apr 24
3 min read

Wisdom on Wednesdays

🏡 5 Inspection Tips Every Homebuyer Should Know

You’ve done the homework. You’ve explored the neighborhoods, checked school districts, compared local amenities, and finally found the home that fits your lifestyle and dreams. It wasn’t luck—it took time, effort, and vision. Before you fall in love with the kitchen backsplash or the backyard swing set, it’s smart to pause and review a few key home inspection tips for buyers—so you can move forward with eyes wide open.”

Happy homebuyers standing outside their future home, representing the beginning of the home inspection journey.

Here are five essential things every homebuyer should know before inspection day rolls around:

1. It’s Not a Pass/Fail Test—It’s a Guided Report Card

A home inspection doesn’t give you a grade—it gives you clarity. I provide a cloud-based, interactive report that breaks the home into clearly labeled categories: Maintenance, Minor Defects, Material Defects, and Safety Hazards. It’s easy to navigate, packed with photos and videos, and built to help you make informed decisions, not leave you in the dark.

2. Inspectors Aren’t Magicians—But the Good Ones Use Great Tools

Inspector’s point-of-view using an infrared camera during a home inspection, showing a thermal image on the display

While the inspection is visual and non-invasive, that doesn’t mean it’s basic. I use tools like infrared cameras to detect temperature anomalies—often early signs of moisture, insulation gaps, or electrical hotspots—and moisture meters to confirm or rule out water intrusion behind walls or under surfaces.

These tools help me see what the eye can’t—and help you understand what you’re buying.

3. Be There, Be Curious

You’re not required to be at the inspection, but showing up can make all the difference. Walking through the home with me allows you to ask questions, learn how things work, and see issues firsthand. That way, when the report comes in, you’re not surprised by photos or language you weren’t prepared for. Instead, you’ll already have the context and confidence to know what it all means.

💬 “The only dumb question is the one not asked.”Whether you’re asking about the furnace, the foundation, or how to reset a GFCI outlet—there’s no shame in being curious. You’re not expected to know everything—that’s what your inspector is for. Ask away. It’s your future home—we want you to understand it.

4. The Report Might Seem Long—But Don’t Panic

When you open the report, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of items listed—but here’s the thing: most homes, even new construction, have a dozen or more minor issues. And yes, some safety hazards are surprisingly simple to fix.

A missing smoke detector? That’s flagged as a Safety Hazard—because it’s essential for life safety—but it’s also a $20 fix you can handle in minutes. No GFCI outlet in the bathroom? A straightforward job for an electrician. Even bigger items—roofing repairs or broken windowpanes—can be addressed. Everything has a solution. The inspection is there to shine a light, not to raise red flags for the sake of fear.

5. It’s a Decision-Making Tool—Not a Dealbreaker

As your inspector, I have a fiduciary responsibility to give you an honest, detailed view of the home’s condition. From there, it’s up to you to decide:

Do you have the resources to take on repairs and confidently move forward?
Or is this home asking too much of you right now?

Either choice is valid—but now you’re choosing with eyes wide open.

Final Word: Why Home Inspection Tips for Buyers Matter

No home is perfect. Not even the ones with shiny finishes and that new-house smell. Every home has a story to tell—through its systems, condition, and quirks. My job is to tell that story honestly, clearly, and carefully.

Your job? Decide if it’s the right story for the next chapter of your life.

So show up, ask questions, and know that I’ll bring the tools, insight, and flashlight so you can get the confidence.