Prop Hound
Working With an Inspector
What to do during and after the inspection so it actually protects you.
- Hired my own inspector, not the seller's or the agent's.
- Attended the inspection in person, or arranged to be on a call during it.
- Asked the inspector to explain findings, not just list them.
- Got the big four checked closely: roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing.
- Got a sewer scope done separately. Most general inspections don't include this, and a damaged sewer line is one of the most expensive things to miss.
- Got a termite/WDO (wood-destroying organism) inspection, usually a separate specialist from the general inspector, not an assumed part of the same visit.
- Asked which findings are urgent versus which can wait.
- Got a rough repair cost estimate for each major finding.
- Asked about remaining life on major systems (water heater, HVAC, roof), not just current condition.
- Kept the full inspection report for my own repair planning after closing.
How to use this checklist
Work through it top to bottom for the specific property or market you’re looking at, and don’t mark an item done until you’ve confirmed it yourself or heard it from someone you trust. If an item doesn’t apply, write down why, since the reason is often the thing you want to remember when you compare it against the next property. Keep your answers somewhere you can find them, such as a note per property. It is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice, so check anything high-stakes with a qualified professional. You can also print this page or get the PDF in the First-Time Investor Toolkit.
More rental investing checklists
- The Market Selection Checklist
- Financing Options Rundown
- Tenant-Friendly vs. Landlord-Friendly States
- The Out-of-State Investing Checklist
- Canadians Investing in US Property Checklist
- The Deal Analysis Checklist
- The Property Walkthrough Checklist
- The Offer Submission Checklist
- Buying an Occupied Rental Checklist
- Closing Day Checklist
This checklist covers one step. We check new listings every night.
Prop Hound screens new rental listings in your market against your own numbers, so you only see the ones worth running a checklist like this on.