After your offer is accepted, the first steps in due diligence are scheduling a professional home inspection and securing homeowners insurance. A home inspection isn’t always required, but it’s one of the most important safeguards for buyers. A licensed inspector examines the property’s interior and exterior — checking the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC and overall structural integrity — to identify issues before you finalize the purchase. This thorough examination can reveal hidden problems and give you leverage to ask the seller for repairs or to renegotiate the price. Because an inspection is more detailed than an appraisal, it’s typically wise to schedule it before the appraisal; if significant issues are uncovered, you can cancel or renegotiate without incurring appraisal costs.
Inspections generally take a few hours and cost around $575 on average in our region; nationally, general home inspections for a standard single‑family home typically range from $300 to $575, and the Northeast averages about $575.
In addition to the general inspection, you may choose to request a wood-destroying insect (termite) inspection or a radon test, and in some cases your lender or home insurance provider may also require these inspections before approving financing or coverage. A licensed pest control professional will examine basements and crawl spaces, wooden framing, exterior foundations, attics and other areas for mud tubes, hollow‑sounding wood and other signs of infestation. Termite inspections typically cost $75–$150, and if termites are found the buyer and seller can negotiate treatment or repairs before closing.
