Buying a home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. You're looking at kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and the neighborhood—but what about the things you can't see?
At HouseMaster Home Inspections, we believe one of the most valuable things a buyer can do during an inspection is ask questions. The good news is, you don't need to walk into the inspection with a list of 20 questions. A good inspector will walk you through what they find and answer many of these questions before you ever think to ask them.
Our job isn't to scare you or tell you whether you should buy the house. Our job is to educate you, explain what we're seeing and tell the story of the home so you can make an informed decision.
Start With the Walkthrough
Our recommendation is to walk through the home with your inspector first and listen.
At HouseMaster, the final hour of a typical inspection is spent walking through the home with our client. By that point, we've spent time evaluating the home's major systems and components, and we're able to explain what we found while you're standing right there. You'll probably find that we cover many of the questions you might have before you even think to ask them.
But that doesn't mean you should stay quiet. If you don't understand something, ask.
Ask us to explain it differently. Ask why something matters. Ask whether something needs to be addressed now or can be monitored. There are no dumb questions when you're making one of the biggest purchases of your life.
What Are the Biggest Concerns You Found?
A home inspection report can contain a lot of information, but not everything has the same level of importance.
Ask your inspector to help you understand:
- What needs attention now?
- What should be monitored?
- What's normal maintenance?
- What could become a bigger problem if ignored?
At HouseMaster, we want our clients to understand the difference between a safety concern, a repair item and something that's simply part of owning a home.
Education is our top priority.
Did You Find Anything Related to the Roof, Foundation, Plumbing or Electrical?
These are some of the most common areas where we find concerns in Sioux Empire homes. Don't be afraid to ask your inspector to explain what they found and why it matters.
For example, a foundation crack doesn't automatically mean you have a major structural problem. A plumbing issue doesn't necessarily mean the entire system needs to be replaced. Context matters.
Your inspector should help you understand what you're actually looking at—not just put a scary-sounding item in a report.
Did You Find Any Signs of Water or Moisture?
Water can create some of the most expensive problems in a home.
Ask about:
- The foundation
- Basement walls and floors
- Grading and drainage
- Gutters and downspouts
- Plumbing
- Attics
- Signs of previous water intrusion
Understanding how water is managed around a home is especially important in the Sioux Empire, where homes experience everything from heavy rain and snow to South Dakota's freeze/thaw cycles.
Should I Have the Home Tested for Radon?
This is one of the questions we recommend buyers consider.
Radon isn't limited to certain neighborhoods or certain types of homes. Any home, anywhere can have radon. Because radon can be present without any obvious signs, testing is the only way to know the level in a particular home.
The good news? If elevated radon levels are found, mitigation is very reasonable to address. We work with trusted local partners, including Dakota Radon, to help our clients understand their options. Radon testing can give a buyer valuable information before they purchase the home.
Should I Get a Sewer Scope?
A sewer line is one of those things you can't see during a standard home inspection. That's why a sewer scope is one of our most common ancillary services.
We sometimes jokingly call it “the colonoscopy of the house.”
It's not necessarily the most glamorous part of buying a home, but it can tell you a lot about what's happening where you can't see. A sewer problem can be expensive, and knowing the condition of the line before you buy gives you another important piece of information about the property.
Ask your inspector whether a sewer scope makes sense for the home you're considering.
Should I Have a Termite Inspection?
Another common ancillary we recommend is a termite/WDI inspection. Ask whether there are signs of wood-destroying insects or conditions that could make the property more susceptible.
Again, the goal isn't to scare you. It's about knowing what you're buying.
Is There Anything Unusual About This Particular Home?
This is one of our favorite questions. Every home is different. Sometimes an inspector finds something that isn't on a typical buyer's radar at all. For example, during one inspection outside Sioux Falls, we discovered that raccoons were cohabitating in the home—and the homeowners had no idea. That's not something most buyers would think to ask about when walking through a house. It's also a great reminder that a home inspection is about more than looking at the obvious.
You don't know what you don't know.
That's why having an experienced third party look at the home can be so valuable.
Should I Get a Home Inspection on a New Construction Home?
Absolutely. We inspect new construction homes all the time.
The defects and concerns we find in a new home can be different from those found in an older home, but new doesn't automatically mean perfect. A new-construction inspection gives the buyer another level of due diligence and an opportunity to identify issues while the builder is still involved.
It's much easier to address a defect before you've moved into the home than to discover it months later and try to get it corrected. We want buyers to be able to move into their new home with a better understanding of what they're purchasing.
What Should I Plan for in the Next Few Years?
A home inspection isn't only about what needs to be repaired today.
Ask your inspector about major components that are aging, such as:
- Roofing
- HVAC systems
- Water heaters
- Plumbing components
- Electrical systems
- Windows
- Exterior materials
You may not need to replace something immediately, but knowing what's aging allows you to plan. That's part of being an informed homeowner.
If This Were Your House, What Would You Want to Know?
This is a great question to ask at the end of your inspection. You're not asking your inspector to make the buying decision for you. You're asking what they think you should understand before moving forward.
At HouseMaster, our answer will always come back to the same philosophy: We're here to tell the story of the home.
We know we're going to find something. That's normal. The goal isn't to find a perfect house. The goal is to understand the house you're buying.
You Don't Have to Know What to Ask
This may be the most important thing we can tell a homebuyer. You don't have to be an expert to get value from a home inspection. That's our job. Come to the walkthrough. Listen. Look at what we're showing you. And if something doesn't make sense, ask us to explain it.
We'll cover many of the important questions during the inspection because we don't expect our clients to know what to look for. But your questions are welcome—and encouraged.
At HouseMaster, education is our top priority. We're not there to tell you whether to buy the house. We're there to tell the story of the home so you can decide what to do with that information.
Because the inspection isn't the scary part.
Not doing an inspection is the scary part.
Buying a Home in the Sioux Empire?
Whether you're purchasing an older Sioux Falls home, a newer home in Harrisburg or Tea, a property in Brandon or an acreage outside the city, HouseMaster Home Inspections is here to help you understand the home before you make it yours.
HouseMaster Home Inspections
Sioux Falls & Surrounding Areas
605.361.6000
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