Buyer Resource Center › The Negotiating Process › The Home Inspection Process
Your home inspection is one of the most important steps in buying a home. It's your chance to learn what you're really buying before you're locked in. Here's how the process works in Oregon and Washington, what to expect on inspection day, and how to get the most value from it.
6 Steps in the Inspection Process
Schedule Quickly
Your contract sets an inspection period, often around ten days in our area, starting from mutual acceptance. Book your inspector right away, since good inspectors fill up fast, and any follow up inspections need to fit inside that window.
Know What a General Inspection Covers
A general inspection looks at the visible and accessible parts of the home, including the roof, foundation, crawl space or basement, attic, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, water heater, windows, doors, and appliances.
Add Specialty Inspections
Depending on the home, consider a sewer scope, heating oil tank scan, radon test, roof or chimney inspection, or a structural engineer. In the Portland area, sewer scopes and oil tank scans are especially common on older homes.
Attend if You Can
Being there lets you ask questions, see issues firsthand, and learn how the home works, like where the water shutoff and electrical panel are. At minimum, join for the walkthrough at the end.
Read the Report Carefully
Reports can be long and full of minor items. Focus on safety issues, structural concerns, water problems, and major systems near the end of their life. Ask the inspector to clarify anything that's unclear.
Decide Your Next Step
Before your inspection period ends, you can ask for repairs, request a credit or price reduction, accept the home as is, or cancel under your inspection contingency. Deadlines matter, so don't wait until the last day.
The bottom line: A home inspection is a small investment that can save you from big surprises. Book early, add the right specialty inspections, attend if you can, and focus on the issues that really matter. I'll help you turn the report into a smart plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a VA loan require a home inspection?
No, but it's strongly recommended. The VA appraisal checks value and minimum property requirements, not the detailed condition of the home.
How much does a home inspection cost?
It varies with the home's size, age, and location, and specialty inspections like sewer scopes cost extra. Ask your inspector for a quote when you schedule.
How long is the inspection period in Oregon and Washington?
It's set in your purchase contract and is often around ten days in our area, though it can be negotiated shorter or longer.
What is a sewer scope?
A camera inspection of the sewer line from the house to the street. It can reveal cracks, root intrusion, or collapses that are expensive to repair, especially in older homes.
Should I test for radon in Portland?
It's a good idea. Some parts of the Portland metro have elevated radon levels, and testing during the inspection period is simple and inexpensive.
Can I back out of a purchase after the inspection?
Yes, if you have an inspection contingency and act within the inspection period. Follow your contract's notice requirements carefully.
Keep Reading
Appropriate (and Unreasonable) Inspection Repair Requests
What's fair to ask for after an inspection, and what isn't.
Read more ›What to Ignore and What to Worry About on a Home Tour
Easy cosmetic fixes you can look past, and the real red flags that deserve a closer look.
Read more ›From Contract to Closing
What happens between an accepted offer and getting your keys.
Read more ›
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. Content adapted in part from ABR® consumer resources. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
