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Buyers
What to actually look for on an inspection
Ashley's short guide to reading an inspection report without panicking — and what actually deserves a repair credit.
·July 19, 2026·3 min read
Every the Catawba Valley home has issues on inspection. Every one. Here's how Ashley teaches buyers to read a report calmly.
The four categories
- Safety — electrical, gas, structural, fire. Always addressed.
- Systems — HVAC, roof, plumbing, foundation. Age and remaining life matter more than "brand new."
- Water — anything about water is worth pausing for. Drainage, leaks, moisture in the crawl space.
- Cosmetic — the long tail. Rarely a negotiation item.
What deserves a credit
Anything from categories 1–3 that materially affects the value or safety. Not "the caulking around a window is aged."
What to skip
Nickel-and-diming a seller over trim, doorbell chimes, and light bulbs. It sours the relationship and rarely returns real dollars.
The point of the inspection isn't to break the deal. It's to make sure you know exactly what you're buying — and pay the right price for it.
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