I've watched buyers' faces change when the inspection report arrives.
"Chris...it's 47 pages."
Okay.
That doesn't mean the house is falling down.
Home inspectors document things.
That's their job.
A report might include everything from a serious electrical issue to a missing doorstop.
Those two things don't deserve equal emotional weight.
Every House Has Something
New construction isn't perfect.
Ten-year-old houses aren't perfect.
Luxury homes aren't perfect.
And older homes definitely aren't perfect.
The purpose of an inspection isn't to produce a certificate declaring the property flawless.
It's to help the buyer understand what they're purchasing.
Separate the Findings
I like buyers to think about inspection findings in different buckets.
Safety.
Major systems.
Water intrusion.
Structural concerns.
Deferred maintenance.
Normal maintenance.
Cosmetic issues.
Those categories create a much more productive conversation than:
"There are 63 things wrong with the house!"
Then Negotiate
Depending on the contract and circumstances, buyers may request repairs, ask for concessions, accept certain conditions or decide the property no longer makes sense.
That's why the inspection period matters.
You're gathering information.
Information creates choices.
After more than two decades of doing this, I've learned something simple:
The inspection report usually isn't the problem. Not understanding the report is.
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