What Happens During a Home Inspection When Buying a Home in Oregon?
- The McCreith Team
- Dec 23, 2025
- 4 min read
A home inspection is one of the most important things a buyer can do when purchasing a home. Oregon is a seller-disclosed state, so a seller must disclose known material facts impacting the condition of the home to the buyer. The problem? There can be a lot of things that are unknown even to a homeowner.
The seller accepted your offer! Congratulations! It's exciting to be moving forward in the purchase of a new home, but that is just step 1 in the process. Once you have an accepted offer on a home, the next big milestone is to hire a qulified home inspector to tell you about the home you are about to purchase. This is your chance to take a closer look at the property to make sure you understand the condition of the home you’re buying and, if needed, negotiate for the seller to take care of some repairs before you close the deal.
We build due diligence into the terms of your purchase so that you have every opportunity to consider the home from a number of perspectives before closing.
The inspector’s job is to evaluate the home’s condition based on observations they are able to make from a detailed walk through of the home, not to judge design choices, cosmetic style, or layout of the home. A professional home inspector will do a thorough assessment of all of the home's major systems and structure - from the roof to the crawlspace and everywhere accessible in between - and advise you as to what needs attention and what needs further investigation from a contractor specialist.
Sellers, receiving a repair addendum from your buyers is often the most stressful time of the transaction. It's where it can feel like your home is being picked apart, but stay the course. It's just part of the process. A good Realtor can help negotiate the best deal for you in order to continue moving towards the closing of your transaction.
What inspectors generally look at:
Structure: foundation, condition, signs of movement or moisture, windows and doors
Roof & exterior: roofing materials, flashing, siding, drainage
Plumbing: visible pipes, water pressure, leaks
Electrical: panels, wiring, outlets, grounding, safety concerns
Heating & cooling: furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, ventilation
Safety items: smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, trip hazards
Appliances and fixtures: ranges, ovens, stoves, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, and water heater
Sewer line: looking for breaks, blockages, or root intrusion
The inspection report can feel long and overwhelming at first glance. That’s normal. Most homes will have something wrong with them, even brand new construction. Age, use, and Oregon weather all leave their mark.
Here’s the key thing to remember: A home inspection is not a pass/fail test. It’s valuable information. Some homebuyers are up for the challenge of a home that needs a lot of work; other homebuyers only want something that they can move into with no significant repairs or maintenance. The home inspection gives you the information you need to decide whether or not this home is the right house for you. Again, having a great Realtor at your side to negotiate items for the seller to either fix or make additional concessions for is key. We at The McCreith Team have successfully negotiated hundreds of repair requests. We work closely with our home inspectors to make sure the items flagged are addressed to our buyers' complete satisfaction. And for our sellers, we work to keep deals together, while minimizing additional work required of you prior to your move.
What to do with the information you receive from the home inspection: Every situation is unique and depends on other conditions in addition to costs or difficulty of the repairs. For example, in a competitive situation where there were multiple offers, buyers may not have as much negotiating power as a someone who is purchasing a home that has been on the market for a very long time with no other offers. We take it on a case-by-case basis, however, a rule of thumb could be as follows:
If issues are minor → negotiations are usually limited or none at all.
If safety or system issues appear → expect repair or credit requests.
If certain repairs will be a requirement for a lender → these types of repairs will have to be done in order to close the transaction.
One of the important jobs your Realtor does is to help you think through a strategy for your due diligence period. If the home turns out to be more than you want to take on, we are on top of the transaction timelines in order to protect your earnest money. Solid preparation, education, and perspective go a long way. A calm review of the report, paired with clear options from the pros can keep the transaction moving forward.
Helpful Oregon Resources
Oregon Construction Contractors Board (licensing & standards): https://www.oregon.gov/ccb
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI): https://www.homeinspector.org
InterNACHI (inspection education & standards): https://www.nachi.org
Oregon Real Estate Agency (transaction guidance): https://www.oregon.gov/rea
Why Sellers Choose Bella Casa Real Estate Group
Bella Casa Real Estate Group is the number one brokerage in Yamhill County for the second consecutive year! We have the highest volume of sales both in dollar value and number of units sold. Our clients continue to share that it is our strong brand reputation, our deep industry and local knowledge, and our client-first approach that they value so highly. Thank you!!!
Still have questions after reading this?
Feel free to contact us! That’s exactly where experience makes a difference. The McCreith Team has more knowledge and experience than can fit into a single post, but we are here to be a resource for you clarity, calm, and to keep this process from feeling overwhelming. We got you.
From our homes to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a season filled with peace, comfort, and time well spent with the people who matter most, and may the New Year bring fresh beginnings and exciting possibilities!
Amy McCormick, Principal Broker
Phone: 503-310-7803
Email: amy@thebellacasagroup.com
Catherine Summers, Principal Broker
Phone: 971-219-9858
Joni McCreith, Principal Broker
Phone: 503-310-5613
Email: joni@thebellacasagroup.com
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