There are many types of inspections for you to consider when you purchase a property. I’m often asked by buyers what the heck all of these different types of inspections are and do they really need to have them done?

Whether you have the inspections performed or not is entirely up to you as a buyer. While not technically required for the purchase, there are a few that might be required for insurance or loan-type, like the VA or FHA inspections or by your insurance company, like the 4-Point Inspection). However, inspections are recommended as they are intended to help buyers do their due diligence and know what they’re getting into before they buy the property. These are some of the more common types of inspections.

Home Inspection – According to the Florida Building Inspection Group, this is a “visual exam of the visible, safely and readily accessible components of the interior, exterior, structural, roof, electrical, heating, cooling and plumbing systems of a property.”

This “full” inspection is one I always recommend my buyers to keep as long as they own a property. It can function as a targeted “Honey Do” list. It also notes estimated life remaining for most home systems and can be a good planner for budgeting to replace items/systems in the future.

4-Point – This report is often times required by property insurers before they’ll underwrite a policy. Especially on older homes. It’s essentially a short-form version of the full home inspection put on a specific form and focuses on the 4 main “points” of a property: roof, plumbing, HVAC and electrical. It will specify satisfactory or unsatisfactory for each and will include relevant photos of each element.

Wind Mitigation – This report is not required but can provide big cost savings when it comes to annual insurance premiums. We’re talking it could save thousands, potentially. It looks at how the roof is attached to the building, what the shape is of the roof, if there are roof “straps” or secondary water barriers and if all openings have shutters or protection from strong winds.

Wood Destroying Organism/Termite (WDO) – Some lenders require a WDO inspection for purchases and some types of loans (like VA) require this inspection as well. It checks for exactly what it says – active infestations or damage from previous infestations of critters that damage (eat) wood. Think of the wood in the property – rafters that hold up the roof, decking, door frames, doors….. you get the idea. Now if these things are coming apart or being eaten, that decreases the integrity of the structure. While many chose to skip this inspection, if your home inspector calls out that there might be evidence of this, you should listen up and consider having a professional WDO Inspection performed. If for nothing more than your sanity and peace of mind!

VA/FHA Inspection – Sometimes referred to as an inspection, sometimes called an appraisal (confusing, I know), these inspections are required for these federally-backed loans. They are intended to confirm that the property is, at the time of purchase, safe and inhabitable. This means the home systems have to be functioning, no exposed insulation, no missing tiles, no broken windows or damaged doors. It may not be cosmetically “perfect,” but functionally, it has to be free of health or safety hazards when ownership is handed over.

Hopefully this quick summary helps when you start hearing about all of these different inspections. I know they can sometimes get confusing. And among the other things you’re juggling during your purchase process, it can seem incredibly overwhelming. In the end, though, these different types of inspections help you to know what you’re buying and what you’re getting into. It helps manage expectations and can uncover issues that you’re really not comfortable taking on. It can also provide peace of mind and reassurances that you’re buying a solid property.