It’s important our clients understand this is a visual inspection only. We make observations and test operational functionality of home systems and major appliances but we are not diagnosing specific issues like why the gas fireplace won’t start or why the dishwasher purrs a little too loudly. We recommend hiring industry-related professionals to diagnose these specific issues. 

If we come across a sealed attic-hatch we will need written permission from the seller to break that seal. It is always our goal to leave a property exactly as we found it unless specific requests are agreed upon (and are documented in writing) by both buyer and seller.

This inspection is NOT a building code inspection; building code is inspected as the property is being built. 

Our home inspections are considered a “point in time” inspection; there may be items we are unable to inspect on a given day, like: the roof due to snow/rain, the air conditioning system because the temperature is too cold to operate it safely without damage to components, and some of the exterior as it was also covered by snow.

It is our goal to provide you with the most comprehensive home inspection available on a given day while also considering the safety and well-being of our inspectors.

There is nothing in our inspection report that has to be done. Our report findings are or you and your realtor or other advisors to go through and determine what steps you would like to take next. Our goal is to inform you, not to rate a house. 

It’s not unusual for clients to call us months after their inspection with a home-related question and we always do our best to help!

We prefer you not attend the whole inspection but rather just the “inspection walkthrough” which happens the last hour or so of your inspection window.

Once you’ve scheduled your inspection, you should receive a confirmation email indicating the precise time you should arrive for your inspection walkthrough. (The walkthrough usually takes 45-60 minutes, depending on the age and size of the property.)

Your inspector will use the “walkthrough” time to provide you (and your realtor or other advisors present) a summary of the most significant inspection findings displayed on a tablet. You will have ample time to ask your inspector questions.

Your inspector will continue to work on your report following the walkthrough. We must ensure all images and video taken onsite are uploaded with specific comments to best help you understand our recommendations. Your report will be emailed to you as soon as it is ready later that same day, often late-evening, assuming payment has been confirmed.

Our inspectors work very hard to complete their inspection reports the same day the inspection was performed (oftentimes this means it will arrive late in the evening).

During your inspection walkthrough, you will have the opportunity to review a summary of major findings but the actual FULL report will not be completed until later in the day. Your inspector must ensure all images and video taken onsite are uploaded with specific comments to best help you understand the recommendations.

Your report will be emailed to you (and your realtor if specified) as soon as it is ready later that same day, often late-evening, assuming payment has been confirmed.

Thanks for asking!

You have 4 options:

• Bank Transfer
• Cash
• Check
• Credit Card (This option is available upon request. A 3% fee is assessed to use this option. Please call our office at (612) 440-8466 to request this option.)

We will email you an invoice (typically shortly after you schedule your inspection) that includes a link for you to pay simply via bank transfer, or you may bring cash/check to the inspection walkthrough. Our inspectors do not process any card payments on site but prefer you take care of this form of payment online.

Please note our inspectors do not release their final reports until payment has been confirmed.

No problem at all! You have a couple options when it comes to adding any additional service to your existing inspection:

• Call us at (612) 440-8466 to add another service to your inspection
• Email us and in the subject line, simply write: “PLEASE ADD RADON TESTING TO MY INSPECTION” or whatever service you wish to add-on

You should receive a new confirmation email reflecting the change. Most likely your walkthrough will be pushed back by 30 minutes to allow for radon testing or 60 minutes, if a moisture intrusion investigation is added.

*Radon testing requires 48 hours so if you have a next-day inspection, we’ll have to set your radon during your inspection and pick it up two days or 48 hours later. Your radon test results will be emailed to you the day we pick-up the unit(s).

In Minnesota, FHA appraisers follow the HUD guidelines for minimum property standards. Homes must meet the following appraisal requirements, or be repaired to meet requirements, to be approved for an FHA loan. 

Please note that Branch Property Investigations is hired to inspect the property and provide a subsequent written report but does not get involved in the lending process or provide specific feedback pertaining to the FHA checklist. 

The following is a sample FHA Appraisal Inspection Checklist we gathered from various internet sources. Please check with your lender to confirm specific requirements. 

• Must have an undamaged exterior, foundation, and roof
• Must have safe and reasonable property access
• Must not contain loose wiring and exposed electrical systems
• Must have all relevant utilities, including gas, electricity, water, and sewage functioning properly
• Must have a working, permanent heating system that can heat the property adequately
• Must have surfaces free of chipping or peeling lead-based paint
• Must have adequate access to attic spaces and natural ventilation in crawl spaces
• Must have access to potable water and sufficient drainage away from the home
• Must be free from pest or insect infestations
• Must not have interior and exterior health and safety hazards, such as no handrails on steep staircases
• Must have working appliances
• Must be a marketable property
• Any previous repairs and renovations done to the property must be reviewed to ensure that they adhere to compliance with codes and regulations.

For your convenience, please feel free to download this FHA Inspection Checklist.