What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a top-to-bottom visual review of a property’s major systems—such as the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Inspectors only evaluate what’s visible and provide a written report with findings and recommendations.

When should I schedule a home inspection?

The sooner the better! Most Santa Clarita buyers schedule their inspection right after their offer is accepted to allow time for decisions before closing.

How much does a home inspection cost?

In Santa Clarita, most general home inspections cost around $500–$600. Additional inspections like sewer, mold, or termite are extra.

Can I be present during the inspection?

Yes, and it’s highly recommended and your realtor should be there too. Being present lets you ask questions, see issues firsthand, and learn how the home’s systems work. We are always present for our sellers and buyers during all inspections.

How do I choose a qualified home inspector?

Choose someone with local Santa Clarita experience who is licensed or certified, carries insurance, and has a strong track record.

How should I prepare for a home inspection?

Sellers should keep all utilities on and provide access to attics, crawl spaces, and closets. Buyers should plan to attend, take notes, and ask questions.

What should I ask the inspector?

Ask what’s included or excluded, about safety concerns, and where main shut-offs and control panels are located.

Can inspection findings help with negotiations?

Yes. Buyers can negotiate repairs, credits, or price reductions. With an inspection contingency, you may also walk away if major issues are found.

Are there limitations to a home inspection?

Yes. Inspections are visual only. Inspectors can’t see hidden areas like covered slabs but may note signs suggesting a specialist evaluation.

Home Inspection Advised Before Buying

In almost all instances a home inspection is advised before buying a home! As realtors, we know how important it is for our home buyers to have an expert opinion about the condition of the home they intend to buy. The inspection findings do not mean the transaction will fail, but the information will help our buyers make plans for future upkeep costs and eliminate any surprises once they become homeowners.

Why is a Home Inspection Advised Before Buying Home?
Even though you may have a good knowledge of basic home repairs and construction, a home inspection is still advised. Sometimes problems are not so obvious and not clearly visible to the untrained eye, but a good home inspector knows what to look for. Also, it’s just too easy to miss problems when taking a tour.

What Does the Inspector Do?

The home inspector does a thorough inspection of the entire home. Perhaps most important is the inspection of the overall structure and main systems such as the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning. If there’s a swimming pool the inspector will observe and test the pump and filter. They will also have a look at the roof. Then, appliances will be tested, general carpentry items such as testing doors, locks and while they are at it, they are always watching for signs of mold. The home inspection list is quite lengthy and there’s plenty more, but keep in mind, much of the inspection is based on tests and his or her visual observation.

While helping our clients buy or sell homes, we ALWAYS attend the home inspections. For the most part, it’s a straight forward process and usually worth it for both sides of the transaction.

What if Repairs are Needed?

If the agreement for buying the home includes a home inspection as a contingency, the discovery of serious defects may be a deal killer. Of course this would be disappointing, but the buyer is far better off passing on the sale as opposed to paying for expensive surprise repairs later on. Usually the inspection only reveals minor problems and generally easily resolved. In our many years of experience, the home inspection rarely kills a deal. Any defects discovered are either repaired by the seller or negotiated into the contract before closing escrow.

Is the Home Seller Require to Make Repairs?

If defects are discovered during the inspection it doesn’t mean the seller must make repairs. The seller is under no obligation to make any suggested repairs but will often do so just to close the sale. Now, this would not apply if the buyer is using FHA financing or a similar type loan. In fact, if the seller wants the home to qualify for FHA financing he or she must insure the home meets the required conditions. If not, they must do whatever is necessary to qualify or they’ll need to find a buyer using a conventional loan.

For conventional loans, if the roof is old but does not leak, it’s considered acceptable! Once the buyer receives the home inspection report, a repair list can be provided to the seller. The seller may respond and make some, all or none of the necessary repairs. On the other hand, the buyer does not have to go through with the purchase if the seller doesn’t agree to make the repairs or make compensation.

Home Inspection Costs

At the time of 2025, the average cost of a home inspection in Santa Clarita varies depending on the home and property. As a rough estimate, probably in the vicinity of $500 to $600. We strongly advise all of our buyers to take advantage of this service. It’s a relatively low cost service and well worth the money and peace of mind.

FHA Requirements are a Different Matter

If planning on obtaining an FHA loan, the home selected MUST meet certain specifications and repairs must be in order. Learn more about FHA requirements here. A home inspection is even more important when buying distressed properties or older homes often found in older sections of Santa Clarita and throughout the San Fernando Valley. Buyers need to be extra cautious if buying a foreclosure, probate and some other bank owned properties. Why? Because there are no seller disclosures required for those of transactions.

Recap

As local REALTORS® active in the Santa Clarita and the Greater Los Angeles areas, we highly recommend home inspections to all our buyers. Although it’s NOT always fool proof, it’s usually quite reliable and minimizes the chances of costly repairs later.

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Home Inspection FAQs

A home inspection is essentially a top-to-bottom visual review of the property, with the inspector checking all the major systems—roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. The actual list of items inspected can be fairly extensive and often depends on the type, size, and age of the home. To give you an idea, it may also include appliances, general carpentry, grading and drainage, and other visible components.

It’s important to note that inspectors can only evaluate what’s accessible and visible. Once complete, you’ll receive a detailed written report (often with photos) outlining their findings and recommendations. Here in Santa Clarita, this process is a key step for buyers, since it helps confirm the home’s condition before finalizing your purchase and may provide leverage for negotiating repairs.

The sooner the better! Once your offer is accepted, most Santa Clarita home buyers arrange the inspection right away. Scheduling early gives you a clear picture of the property’s condition and ensures you have enough time to make decisions before moving forward with your purchase.

Costs depend on the size and age of the home. Here in Santa Clarita, most general home inspections run about $500 to $600. Keep in mind that’s just for the standard inspection. Additional inspections—such as checking the main sewer line, a mold inspection, or a termite/wood-destroying pest inspection—are typically ordered separately and come with added costs.

Yes, and it’s highly recommended! As REALTORS® here in Santa Clarita, we make it a point to attend home inspections alongside our buyers. Being onsite gives you the chance to ask questions as they come up, see potential issues with your own eyes, and get a better understanding of how the home’s systems work.

We always recommend choosing an inspector who has local experience here in Santa Clarita, since they’ll be familiar with common construction styles and potential issues in the area. Make sure they are licensed or certified, carry proper insurance, and have a strong track record of reliable service.

Here in Santa Clarita, inspectors often run into a common problem with vacant homes — the power, gas, or water are turned off, which prevents them from completing a full inspection. If you’re the seller, the best way to prepare is to make sure all utilities are on, gates and closets are unlocked, and spaces like the attic or crawl space are clear for entry.

If you’re the buyer, preparation is simple: plan to be present, bring a notepad or your phone for questions, and wear comfortable shoes in case the inspector takes you through the attic, basement, or yard.

If you’re the buyer, preparation is simple — plan to be present, bring a notepad or your phone for questions, and wear comfortable shoes in case the inspector walks you through the attic, basement, or yard.

Be sure to ask what is not covered in the inspection and what is the extent of the scope. For instance, if the inspector notices signs of mold, you may have to hire a separate company for further testing. Also, ask about other safety hazards. It’s also a good time to find out where all the main shut-offs are located and any control panels.

Absolutely! If the inspection uncovers issues, you can often negotiate for repairs, seller credits, or a price adjustment. And because we always make sure our buyers have a solid inspection contingency in place, you also have the option to walk away from the deal if something major is discovered.

Yes. A home inspection is visual only, which means inspectors can’t evaluate what isn’t accessible or visible. For example, they won’t be able to see a foundation slab that’s covered by flooring, but they may notice other signs — such as cracks in walls or uneven floors — that suggest a specialist should take a closer look.

Local ABR REALTORS®
Matt & Meray Gregory

Call or Text us at 661-713-4799

Matt & Meray Gregory are both Brokers and ABR® REALTORS® at the Gregory Real Estate Group. When you’re ready to buy your home, contact us. There’s NEVER any sales pressure, whatsoever!

Your Local REALTORS®
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Home Inspection Advised Before Buying