Getting your home inspection report back can feel like opening a surprise exam you didn’t study for.
You scroll, you see photos, you spot words like “repair,” “monitor,” “safety concern,” and suddenly your dream home feels a little less dreamy.
Take a breath. Most homes—even brand-new builds—have issues. That’s not a failure; it’s just reality. A home inspection is designed to surface information, not to scare you away.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what your home inspection report really means, the most common home inspection report problems buyers see, and exactly what to do next—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. We’ll also show how Spectora makes this process easier to understand, organize, and act on.
A home inspection is a snapshot in time. Your inspector documents visible and accessible components of the property to help you make an informed decision. That means:
Instead, an inspection is a professional, evidence-based overview of the home’s condition at the time of the inspection. Every home has imperfections—some small, some significant. What matters isn’t the number of items flagged. What matters is understanding which issues are urgent, which are normal maintenance, and which are worth negotiating.
Think of your report as a decision-making toolkit. It doesn’t tell you what to do—it gives you what you need to decide smartly.
If you’re wondering whether your report is “worse than average,” here’s a secret: most reports include the same categories of findings. The difference is severity—not presence. And if you’re curious about the average defects per state, we have that information linked right here.
Here are the most common home inspection report problems buyers run into:
Inspectors often note missing shingles, damaged flashing, soft spots, or early signs of leaks. Not all roof issues mean replacement, but roofing repairs can become expensive quickly if ignored.
Why it matters: Water intrusion can lead to mold, insulation damage, and structural deterioration.
Cracks in foundations, uneven floors, bowing walls, or doors that won’t close properly can signal movement or settlement. Some cracks are cosmetic; others are a red flag.
Why it matters: Foundation repairs are high-cost, high-impact. This is one category where you want a specialist opinion fast.
Common report notes include drips under sinks, slow drains, water stains, corroded pipes, or suspected moisture in basements and crawlspaces.
Why it matters: Even small leaks can cause mold, rot, and long-term structural problems.
Expect to see notes about ungrounded outlets, overloaded breaker panels, double-tapped breakers, or older wiring types that may not meet modern safety standards.
Why it matters: Electrical hazards carry fire risk and can affect insurability.
Inspectors may report aging units, dirty filters, unclear service history, weak airflow, or inefficiencies. Sometimes systems “work” but are nearing the end of their expected lifespan.
Why it matters: HVAC replacements are costly and often urgent when they fail.
You might see notes about missing smoke/CO detectors, loose railings, trip hazards, unstable steps, or lack of GFCI outlets near water sources.
Why it matters: Many safety issues are simple fixes, but they’re essential to address before move-in.
Once you’ve read the report, you’re at the most important step: deciding what the findings mean for you. Here’s a practical, buyer-friendly roadmap.
Not all findings deserve equal attention. A helpful way to sort them:
Top priority
Medium priority
Lower priority
A 40-item report isn’t a problem if 35 of those items are minor maintenance.
Inspectors are highly trained generalists. But when a report flags something potentially serious, your next move is a specialist evaluation.
Examples:
Specialists can clarify severity and give repair estimates—critical for negotiation.
Your inspection contingency is a built-in protection. It gives you leverage to request:
Focus negotiations on material issues, not small fixes. Sellers are far more likely to respond positively when requests feel reasonable and safety-driven.
A good rule:
Even if you love the home and the issues feel manageable, your report is also a maintenance roadmap.
Examples:
This is how buyers avoid surprises after closing.
Inspection reports can be overwhelming, especially when multiple people are involved (you, your agent, the seller, contractors, family, etc.). Spectora makes the process clearer by helping you:
When you’re trying to make a major financial decision, clarity is everything. Spectora helps turn a long report into an easy, actionable plan.
Here’s a simple way to match common issues with next steps:
Roofing & Structure
Plumbing & Moisture
Electrical Hazards
HVAC Concerns
Safety Issues
A home inspection report isn’t an obstacle—it’s information. Home inspection report problems are normal, and most are manageable with the right approach.
Your job as a buyer is to:
The goal isn’t to find a perfect house. It’s to find a house you understand—and feel confident investing in.