What does a home inspection cover, and is it required?

A home inspection is a thorough, visual examination of a property's physical condition conducted by a licensed inspector. The inspector evaluates the structural integrity of the home, as well as the condition of major systems including the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling. While a home inspection is not legally required in New York State, lenders frequently require one, and buyers who waive an inspection do so at considerable risk.

In the Western Catskills, home inspections are especially important given the age and character of the regional housing stock. Properties in Delaware, Otsego, Greene, and Ulster counties frequently include older construction, oil or propane heating systems, private wells, septic systems, wood-burning stoves, and outbuildings — each of which warrants careful examination. Buyers should also strongly consider separate specialized inspections for wells (water quality and flow testing), septic systems, and oil tanks, as these are not always fully covered in a standard home inspection and can be sources of significant expense if issues are discovered after closing.