FOR HOME BUYERS
Buyer / Pre-Purchase Home Inspections
Before you commit, get a clear look at the home’s accessible systems and items that deserve attention. DG Home Inspections helps turn observed conditions into practical questions and next steps.
See the house before the decision gets final
A purchase can move quickly, but the house still deserves a careful look. DG Home Inspections examines readily accessible systems and components under InterNACHI Standards of Practice. The goal is a useful account of physical condition as observed that day. Instead of leaving you with mystery labels, Mike explains the observed issue, the area involved, and why it may matter to a buyer.
That perspective is especially useful after a showing, when fresh paint, staged rooms, and a busy schedule can hide practical questions. You may be weighing an older roof, signs of moisture, a heating system that needs further evaluation, or smaller repairs that belong on a first-year maintenance list. With over 25 years of industry experience, Mike helps distinguish conditions that deserve prompt follow-up from the routine work that comes with owning a home.
Separate the critical from the expected
Not every note in a report carries the same weight. A dripping faucet, worn weatherstripping, or aging caulk can require planning without changing the fundamentals of your decision. More consequential findings may involve a system or component with a significant adverse effect on value or an unreasonable safety risk. The report organizes observed conditions so you can see what deserves faster attention and what belongs in ordinary maintenance planning.
Age alone does not make an item a material concern. A system near or beyond its typical service life may be operating at the inspection, while a newer component may show a condition that needs prompt attention. When an observation calls for deeper analysis or repair, use the report’s photographs and explanations to speak with a qualified contractor or other appropriate specialist. Ask about scope, priorities, and costs before treating an estimate as settled.
Know the limits—and use them well
A standard home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of areas that are readily accessible on the appointment day. Mike observes systems and components included in the standards, such as the roof, exterior, visible structure, heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, attic, insulation, and interior. Stored belongings, locked spaces, unsafe conditions, snow, low-clearance areas, or shut-down equipment can limit what can be observed. The report should make those limits clear.
An inspection is different from an appraisal. An appraisal estimates the home’s value for a lender; it does not replace an inspection of the property’s condition. A home inspection is also not an engineering analysis, a code-compliance certification, an insurance determination, or a prediction of future performance. It cannot reveal every concealed or latent defect. When a reported condition needs a specialized opinion, bringing in the right specialist is the sensible next step.
Make room for questions and follow-up
Schedule the inspection as early as your purchase timeline allows so there is time to understand the report and arrange needed specialist evaluation. If your agreement includes an inspection contingency, confirm the relevant dates and procedures with your real estate professional or a qualified attorney. DG does not interpret contracts, direct negotiations, or advise whether to buy, cancel, request repairs, or accept a credit. The inspection gives you property information for those separate decisions.
Before the appointment, coordinate access through the appropriate seller or real estate contacts, including gate codes, locked rooms, outbuildings, attic or crawl-space entries, and utility areas. If you can attend, you can ask questions while conditions are fresh. Mike takes time to explain findings and answer questions. After the completed inspection, DG provides a personalized digital report within 24 hours, available online and as a PDF, with photos or videos when appropriate.
A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS
Questions worth asking.
Should I attend the buyer inspection?
If you can, attending lets you see conditions as they are discussed and ask questions about the report. It is not a repair lesson or a final decision meeting. Bring questions about unfamiliar systems, visible areas you could not assess during a showing, and any follow-up that may be appropriate.
Will the inspection tell me what to ask the seller to fix?
DG reports observed conditions but does not decide what the seller should repair, what you should request, or how a contract term applies. Use the report with your real estate professional and, for legal questions, a qualified attorney. Mike can clarify a reported observation and explain why further evaluation may be useful.
What if part of the home cannot be inspected?
Accessibility and safety determine what can be observed. Locked doors, stored items, unsafe attic or crawl-space conditions, snow, or shut-down equipment can limit the inspection. The report should identify relevant limitations. When practical, coordinate access before the appointment so the inspector can examine the areas included in the agreed scope.