From The American Dream Team at Cornerstone Land Abstract…Your Personal Advisors and Trusted Translators of Real Estate Gibberish

There are two kinds of homebuyers: 1. Those who get an inspection and 2. Those who after the closing Google “how much does it cost to repair a house foundation” while sobbing into their corn flakes. Guess which camp we recommend?

What Is a Home Inspection, Really?

Imagine a house detective….a licensed engineer or certified inspector who will crawl into crawl spaces, peek under insulation, and ask your future home some very uncomfortable questions. Their mission? To uncover the things the pretty photos didn’t show.

They’ll evaluate the structural integrity of the home (Will the house still be standing in 25 years?), HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems (Is the wiring from the Truman administration?), the roof condition (flat, peaked, or perched on a prayer), and termite or pest damage (those tiny houseguests with big appetites).

Why It Matters

Yes, it costs around $500. But if it exposes a $12,000 plumbing problem or a sagging foundation that makes you wonder if the house is trying to curtsy then that $500 is not an expense, it’s an investment.

With a solid inspection report in hand, you can ask the seller to make repairs or offer a credit, renegotiate your offer, or even walk away (even if you already imagined holiday dinners in the formal dining room).

The Secret Sauce: Show Up

If your schedule allows, attend the inspection. Seriously. Bring questions, take notes, and don’t be afraid to ask what’s normal and what should be a dealbreaker. It’s like going behind the scenes of your favorite reality show, except the drama is structural.

You’ll learn a lot, and the inspector will often give context that doesn’t make it into the written report. This is your one shot to see the house with x-ray vision before committing your life savings. Don’t waste it.

Bonus Wisdom from The American Dream Team

At Cornerstone, we’ve seen buyers try to skip this step to “save time.” Most ended up spending that time negotiating with contractors, electricians and plumbers…or spackling walls and patching ceilings. Remember, even the best title search (and we do mean the best) can’t tell you the boiler’s about to croak or that raccoons have been squatting in the attic.

Inspections aren’t an option. They’re a necessity.

One More Thought from the American Dream Team…

Whether you’re buying a bungalow or a brownstone, remember, real estate isn’t just about what you see, it’s also about what you don’t see…what’s hiding under the floorboards and sheetrock. We’ll help with the title, but do yourself a favor and hire the inspector, too. We can recommend inspectors like us….people who care about protecting the American Dream.

Looking for a team that makes the process clearer, smoother, and far less stressful? Cornerstone has your back. 17,000 deals strong and counting.