Why You Should Always Attend Your Home Inspection

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make in your lifetime. It’s exciting, stressful, and filled with important decisions. A home inspection is a critical step in safeguarding that investment. Your presence at the home inspection is part of the important process. While receiving a comprehensive report afterward is essential, being present during the inspection offers invaluable benefits that can’t be replicated through documentation alone. While it might seem like a formality or something your agent can handle, there are compelling reasons why you should always attend.

1. Get a Firsthand Deeper Understanding of the your Potential Home’s Condition

Attending the inspection allows you to see your potential home through the eyes of an expert. You get the opportunity to witness firsthand the inspector’s evaluation of the property’s systems and components, including:

Foundation
Exterior
Roof and Attic
Electrical
Plumbing (Water Heater
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC units)
Interior
Garage
Kitchen & Appliances
And more

No written report can fully capture what it’s like to physically walk through a home with a trained inspector. When you’re present during the inspection, you gain a visual confirmation of the issues and defects, you get a better sense of the severity of the problems, and you get context about different issues that may have downstream effects to other home components.

This direct observation provides a clearer understanding of the property’s condition than simply reading a report later. You can learn about how these systems function and identify any potential issues as they are being discovered.

2. Clarify concerns and ask questions in real-time

You can ask real-time questions and get immediate, honest feedback about what’s concerning and what’s cosmetic. This is your prime opportunity to address any specific concerns or observations you might have gathered during previous visits to the home. You can ask the inspector questions as they arise, getting immediate explanations and clarification on any findings, whether big or small. This eliminates misunderstandings that could easily occur when relying solely on a written report.

3. Learn About Maintenance and Operation

The inspector can point out key features and functionalities of the house, like the location of emergency shut-off for utilities. This crucial information will be invaluable for future maintenance and in case of emergencies. You can learn how to operate and maintain these systems, preventing potential problems down the line. A good inspector doesn’t just look for defects, they educate homeowners about their future property. Attending the inspection gives you a chance to learn:

How to shut off the water, gas, or electricity
How to maintain HVAC systems
When to expect routine repairs or replacements (e.g., water heater lifespan)

This is especially helpful for first-time homebuyers who may not be familiar with home systems.

4. Navigate the inspection report with greater ease

Home inspection reports can be lengthy and filled with technical jargon. Attending the inspection provides context for the information in the report, making it easier to understand the severity and implications of each finding. Having seen the issues firsthand and discussed them with the inspector in person makes the report more comprehensible and helps prioritize any necessary repairs or improvements.

5. Clarify What’s Urgent vs. Cosmetic

Inspection reports often seem overwhelming at first glance. A long list of “issues” can trigger alarm, even when many are minor or easily fixed. By being there:

You can ask your inspector what really matters
Identify safety issues or code violations that may need immediate attention
Avoid being scared off by issues that are common and manageable

This helps you stay grounded and make informed decisions.

6. Gain confidence and peace of mind

Buying a home is a huge financial commitment. Attending the inspection can significantly boost your confidence in your investment by confirming that the home is safe, functional, and aligns with your expectations. Observing the thorough examination provides peace of mind that you’ve taken the necessary steps to make an informed decision.

Perhaps most importantly, attending the inspection can ease your anxiety. Buying a home can feel like stepping into the unknown, but seeing the process play out in person:

Reassures you that the inspector is thorough and professional
Gives you a better feel for the home’s layout and condition
Helps you visualize life in the space while spotting any red flags

Instead of relying entirely on a document, you’ll walk away with personal experience and confidence in your purchase decision.

7. Catch What the Inspector Might Miss

Inspectors are professionals, but they’re human. Being present means you might:

Notice things that aren’t strictly “defects” but bother you (e.g., odors, uneven floors)
Ask about areas that might otherwise be overlooked
Ensure the inspector has access to all parts of the home

Sometimes a second set of eyes is exactly what’s needed to catch something important.

8. Maximize your negotiation power

Being present at the inspection gives you a stronger hand during post-inspection negotiations. You’ll also be more persuasive if you’ve seen the issues firsthand when discussing them with your real estate agent or the seller. When you see major issues for yourself, like a deteriorating roof or outdated wiring, it gives you the confidence to:

Request repairs or credits from the seller
Decide if the issues are deal-breakers
Understand what repair estimates might look like

If significant issues are discovered, the inspection report can serve as leverage in negotiations with the seller. Your firsthand understanding of these problems, gained from attending the inspection, allows for more informed discussions about repairs, price reductions, or credits toward closing costs.

Final Thoughts – Attend Your Home Inspection!

Your home inspection is more than a checkbox, it’s an opportunity to know what you’re buying. Skipping it or sending someone in your place removes a vital layer of due diligence and understanding. In a transaction involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, that insight is invaluable.

So mark your calendar, wear comfortable shoes, bring your own powerful flashlight and be there. Attending your home inspection is one of the smartest moves you can make as a homebuyer.

While attending the inspection isn’t mandatory, it’s highly recommended, especially for first-time homebuyers. It’s an investment of your time that can potentially save you from unexpected costs and provide a sense of security in your new home for years to come.