Inspections, including lake and older homes

An inspection is a paid look at the house by someone you hire. It is not an appraisal, and it is not the seller's disclosure. What you can do about a finding depends on the contract. Ask an attorney. This is not legal advice.

A general inspection

Ask the inspector to cover the roof, structure, electric, plumbing, heat, and cooling, and to say what they could not see. Attend if you can, including by video if you are out of state.

Older homes and lake homes

• Sewer line. Many older Toledo houses have a clay or cast-iron line to the street. A camera scope is a separate order. Ask for one when the house is old or the yard has settled.
• Basement and crawl space. Look for standing water, a sump that runs constantly, and stains that show past water. On a lake cottage, also ask about a crawl space that was closed up all winter.
• Well and septic. On the islands and in some townships there is no public sewer. Ask for the last septic report and a water test. A pretty cottage can still have a failed system.
• Dock, seawall, and flood. Ask who owns the dock and what the insurance and flood zone look like. The map tool is on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
• Lead paint. Federal rules apply to most housing built before 1978. Sellers have a disclosure duty, and buyers should receive the EPA pamphlet. Start at EPA: real estate disclosures about potential lead hazards. A lead inspection is separate from a general home inspection. This site is not stating that every old house is unsafe. It is stating that the federal disclosure exists.

The seller's state form is explained in the disclosure guide.

More guides: all guides. Questions: FAQ.