Buying guide
Inspection checklist: focus on risk
The goal isn’t a perfect report — it’s understanding downside risk and what you’ll need to maintain or replace. Use this checklist to guide the conversation.
Questions to ask your inspector
- 🧠What are the top 3 risks?Not “what’s on the list” — what’s the biggest downside?
- 🛠️What will fail soon?Ask about expected remaining life for major systems (as best they can estimate).
- 🧾What should I budget?Ask for ballpark ranges so you can plan your first-year costs.
- 🤝What is normal vs. concerning?Experienced context matters more than raw findings.
Negotiation lens
You’re negotiating uncertainty. Decide what you can tolerate.
Must fix
Safety issues and high-risk unknowns should be addressed.
Budget & accept
Known maintenance can be priced into your plan.
Walk away
If downside is too large for your risk tolerance, don’t force it.
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