Home Inspection

A home inspection is a professional evaluation of a home's physical condition, usually paid for by the buyer after an offer is accepted. A licensed inspector examines the roof, foundation, structure, plumbing, electrical, heating, and more, then delivers a written report noting defects and safety concerns. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where much of the housing stock is a century old, inspections often surface issues like aging wiring, old heating systems, and moisture in basements. The findings usually feed the buyer's inspection contingency, which is the window to negotiate repairs, ask for a credit, or walk away. An inspection is not a pass or fail grade and it does not set property value. See what a home inspection covers for a full walkthrough.