Home Inspection Tips: What Agents Should Watch For

The home inspection is one of the most critical milestones in any real estate transaction. For agents, knowing what to watch for before, during, and after the inspection can make the difference between a smooth close and a deal falling apart.

Before the Inspection

• Confirm the inspection date and time with all parties early
• Ensure utilities are turned on — buyers can't test what isn't powered
• Advise sellers to clear access to attics, crawl spaces, and mechanicals
• Set expectations about finding issues — no home is perfect

During the Inspection

Encourage your clients to attend. Buyers who walk through with the inspector gain valuable context about the home's systems and any flagged issues. It's also a forum where they can ask questions directly and get honest answers about the property's condition.

After the Report

Inspection reports can feel overwhelming — many run 30+ pages. Help your clients prioritize. Safety issues and major structural concerns come first, but not every item on the report requires a repair request. An experienced agent knows how to separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.

Why Coordination Matters

From scheduling the inspection to tracking repair completion deadlines, the home inspection phase involves a lot of moving parts. A transaction coordinator keeps everything organized — so nothing falls through the cracks between inspection and closing.