What Homebuyers Should Know Before Buying a House | Ask the Home Inspector

What should homebuyers know before purchasing a home—and which problems deserve the most attention? In this episode of Ask the Home Inspector, Keith Klinger of USA Home Inspectors sits down with San Diego real estate professional Mindy Larson of eXp Realty for a wide-ranging conversation about home inspections, real estate, negotiations, sewer scopes, condos and HOAs, flipped homes, AI-powered home valuations, and some of the costly surprises buyers may uncover along the way. Keith and Mindy share real-world examples from transactions and inspections, including a flipped home that was advertised with a “new roof” that had actually been painted, a sewer scope that uncovered significant root intrusion before closing, and an HOA whose deferred maintenance eventually contributed to dramatically higher monthly dues. In this episode: • What buyers should watch for when considering a flipped home • The “new roof” that turned out to be painted shingles • Why an inspection finding doesn't automatically kill a real estate deal • How home inspection reports can help during negotiations • Why buyers shouldn't panic when they receive a lengthy inspection report • When additional evaluations and contractor estimates can be valuable • What condo buyers should look for in HOA documents and meeting minutes • HOA reserves, deferred maintenance and special assessments • Why Mindy considers a sewer scope an important part of buyer due diligence • How tree roots can damage older sewer lines • A real sewer scope that helped uncover a costly problem before closing • What first-time homebuyers should understand about homeownership • Using a first home as a stepping stone toward future real estate goals • AI, automated home valuations and why online estimates can miss important information • Why experienced real estate and inspection professionals still matter in a technology-driven world One theme runs throughout the conversation: the more you understand about a property before you buy it, the better equipped you are to make an informed decision. Ask the Home Inspector Ask the Home Inspector brings local real estate professionals together with Keith for honest, approachable conversations about homes, inspections, maintenance, and real estate. Real Questions. Expert Answers. Our goal is simple: to give homebuyers and homeowners useful information that helps them better understand their homes and make informed decisions with confidence. Have a home inspection question you'd like Keith to answer? Leave it in the comments. Your question could be featured in an upcoming episode. If you're a San Diego real estate professional interested in joining Keith for an upcoming Ask the Home Inspector conversation, we'd love to collaborate. Send us a message to learn more. Need a Home Inspection in San Diego County? USA Home Inspectors provides comprehensive home inspections along with additional inspection and testing services, including sewer scopes, mold and air quality testing, pool and spa inspections, termite inspections, roof inspections, and more. Schedule Your Inspection Phone: (619) 289-8387 Email: admin@usa-homeinspectors.com Website: www.usa-homeinspectors.com Follow USA Home Inspectors YouTube: @USA-HomeInspectors Instagram: @usahomeinspectors Facebook: @usahomeinspectors LinkedIn: USA Home Inspectors X: @USAHomeInsp Subscribe for more Ask the Home Inspector interviews, home inspection tips, homeowner education, and practical insights from the field. USA Home Inspectors Integrity. Knowledge. Peace of Mind. #HomeInspection #HomeBuying #SanDiegoRealEstate #HomeBuyerTips #AskTheHomeInspector #USAHomeInspectors