Most people ask “Is the house good” and get a useless answer

Inspection day moves fast. Buyers feel pressure to absorb everything, and they usually ask the same question near the end: “So, is it a good house?”

The problem is that “good” is not a technical term. A better question is: “What should I do next, and what should I budget for?” When you ask the right questions, you leave with a plan instead of vague reassurance.

How to ask questions that lead to action

Home inspectors see hundreds of homes. They can spot patterns quickly. Your goal is to guide that experience toward your decision. The best questions:

• focus on risk (water, safety, big costs)
• focus on priority (what first, what later)
• focus on uncertainty (what needs a specialist)

If you ask “Is this normal?” you may get “It happens.” If you ask “What does this lead to if we ignore it?” you get a clearer answer.

Start of the inspection: set the goal

At the beginning, tell the inspector what you need.

• “We want to know if there are deal-breakers.”
• “We want to know what we should negotiate.”
• “We want to know what we should budget for in year one.”

Different goals change how you read the home. Clear goals make the summary more useful.

Questions that reveal deal-breakers

These are the questions that help you see whether the home has a serious risk you do not want to take on.

• What is the biggest moisture risk you see today?
• Do you see any signs of active leaks?
• Do you see anything that looks unsafe right now?
• Do you see any structural red flags that need specialist review?
• What is the one finding that would make you pause if you were buying?

These are strong questions. They cut past minor cosmetic notes and focus on risk.

Questions that help negotiation

Not everything belongs in a negotiation request. Focus on items that are costly, urgent, or safety related.

• Which 3 to 5 items would you put in a repair request?
• Which items are urgent and which are maintenance?
• Which issues are likely to get worse quickly if not fixed?
• If you had to pick one specialist to call next, who would it be?

Then ask for photo references. “Can you show me the photo that supports that finding?” Photos make it easier to communicate with the seller and your agent.

Questions that build a first-year plan

Even if you do not negotiate, you still want a plan so ownership starts smoothly.

• What should we do in the first 30 days after move-in?
• What maintenance tasks will prevent costly repairs later?
• What is the easiest “win” for comfort in this home?
• What should we monitor over the next winter in Calgary?

That last question is great for Calgary. Winter exposes drafts, attic moisture clues, and drainage issues during melt.

Questions that help you understand system age and budget

Buyers often want a simple “how long will it last?” An inspector cannot guarantee lifespan, but they can help you understand condition and planning.

• What is your best estimate on remaining life for the roof?
• What is your best estimate on remaining life for the furnace?
• What signs suggest these systems are nearing end of life?
• What would you budget for repairs in the first year if you bought this home?

If your inspection happens in winter, ask about seasonal limits: “What could not be tested today due to temperature?” That keeps you from assuming everything was checked.

Questions that help with comfort and airflow

Comfort issues are common, and Calgary winters make them feel bigger.

• Do you see any reasons this home might have cold rooms?
• Is return air planned well for bedrooms?
• Do you notice weak airflow at any vents?
• Do you see insulation or air sealing clues that matter?

Ask for practical fixes. “Is this something balancing might help, or is it more likely insulation or sealing?” That helps you plan next steps.

Questions that reduce moisture surprises

Moisture is a big risk in any home, and small issues can become expensive.

• Do you see any grading or downspout issues that could push water toward the foundation?
• Do you see any basement moisture clues, like staining or efflorescence?
• Do you see window well risks or pooling patterns?
• Do you see attic moisture clues, like staining or frost signs?

Moisture questions create clear action items, like improving downspout discharge or improving ventilation habits.

Questions condo buyers should ask

If you are buying a condo, your inspection covers the unit. Still, you can ask questions that connect unit findings to condo documents.

• Which findings should we confirm in condo documents, like windows or HVAC responsibility?
• Do you see any signs of water damage that could involve another unit?
• Are the fans moving air well, and do you see moisture risk inside the unit?

Then pair the inspection with minutes and reserve fund review through your agent.

Questions new build buyers should ask

For new builds, the best questions focus on stages and documentation.

• Which issues should be corrected before drywall or before possession?
• Do you see any ventilation routing risks, especially bathroom fans?
• What should we document now for the 1 year warranty stage?

Staged inspections work best when you treat each stage like a chance to close problems early.

How to ask questions without slowing the inspection

It is tempting to follow the inspector everywhere. That can slow things down. A better approach:

• Let them work
• Ask quick questions at key moments (panel, furnace, attic, summary)
• Save bigger “what does this mean” questions for the final summary

Most inspectors will gladly explain findings when they can focus on you for a few minutes instead of multitasking.

A simple “top 10” question list you can screenshot

• What are the top three issues today and why
• What is the biggest moisture risk you see
• Do you see any active leaks
• Do you see any immediate safety concerns
• Which 3 to 5 items would you negotiate
• What would you fix in the first 30 days after move-in
• What should we budget for in year one
• What could not be tested today due to weather or access
• Do you see reasons for cold rooms or airflow issues
• What should we monitor through the next Calgary winter

The payoff

Inspection day is not just about finding problems. It is about buying with open eyes. When you ask better questions, you get better answers. You leave with priorities, a budget plan, and fewer surprises after you move in. That is the whole point of a good pre-purchase inspection in Calgary.