A number of inspections are common in residential realty transactions. They include:

• structural inspections (which may also include the foundation, roof, boiler room, furnace, heating, plumbing, appliances, etc.)
• termite inspection
• property boundary survey
• preclose walkthrough

Structural inspections are particularly important. During these examinations, an inspector comes to the property to determine if there are material or physical defects and whether expensive repairs and replacements are likely to be required in the next few years. This is the kind of inspection discussed in this article.