Conducting a home inspection is a critical step in a buyer’s journey. For many, a home purchase is the largest financial decision they will make in a lifetime. Given the level of financial commitment and scope, buyers should use their inspection period to thoroughly understand a potential home, its maintenance needs, and expected future repairs or upgrades.
When working with a buyer’s agent, buyers have the opportunity to get property-specific recommendations and guidance. The inspection needs for a historic home versus a newly constructed home can vary. Location, construction materials, system ages and known past issues all trigger different inspection recommendations.
Beyond the three inspections that all buyers should consider, buyers should determine if they’d like additional tests for issues like lead paint, mold and air quality, water quality or water flow. They may also want a pool inspection, septic system inspection or auxiliary building inspection.
The Basics
At a minimum, buyers should conduct the following three inspections:
1. General Home Inspection
Think of this as a general education about key aspects of the home. A licensed home inspector provides a comprehensive overview of the property’s visible and accessible components, which typically includes the roof, foundation, structural elements, electrical system, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows and major appliances.
Buyers walk away with a lengthy inspection report that identifies deferred maintenance, safety concerns and items likely to require repair or replacement.
2. Radon Testing
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause overall after smoking. A radioactive gas formed by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock, radon is common in western Massachusetts due to the region’s granite-rich geology and cold-climate building conditions. Naturally occurring soil gases can be drawn into basements and lower home levels.
All homes should be tested for radon levels in the air, and homes serviced by private well water should have their water tested. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homes testing above a certain level should have a radon mitigation system installed. These systems can often improve levels to below even outdoor conditions. Installation of such systems is a concession that sellers are often willing to make prior to closing. Do not risk your health – understand radon levels before your purchase and move-in.
3. Wood-Destroying Insect (WDI) Inspection
Termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees and other wood-destroying insects can compromise structural wood over time. A WDI inspection helps buyers understand the home’s current and past exposure. Are there active infestations, or evidence of old activity? If there was prior damage, was it properly treated and repaired? In older homes especially, signs of past insect activity aren’t uncommon, but what matters is whether the issue is ongoing and whether any structural components were weakened. If damage is identified, buyers should determine the scope of repair costs before moving forward.
Even if no active insects or past infestations are found, this inspection provides peace of mind about the wood framing’s structural integrity.
The Bottom Line
Purchasing a home is a big financial decision. Work with your buyer’s agent to understand which property-specific inspections will be most beneficial. The right mix of inspections will help educate you about your potential home – or save you from a maintenance-and-repair nightmare.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
