Things That Fail a Home Inspection

Typically, the things that fail a home inspection are bigger or more expensive repairs or safety and structural problems. This includes things like a leaking roof, mold or water damage, termites and health hazards like asbestos. If you’re planning to sell your home, knowing the common reasons for failing a home inspection can help you prepare ahead of listing, avoid surprises and keep the sale on track.

Top reasons home inspections fail

A home inspection can be a sticky issue — so much so that it can cause a sale to fall through if the buyer and seller can’t agree on how to resolve a problem with the condition of the home. Among sellers who had at least one offer fall through, 21% said it was due to issues from the inspection report, according to the 2025 Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report. 

The top reason home inspections fail include issues with the home’s major systems (electrical and plumbing), health hazards, water damage and pests.

Leaking or aging roof

For buyers, roof problems are often a deal-breaker if not addressed. Replacing a roof is an expensive undertaking, and a damaged roof directly affects their ability to safely live in the home.

If your roof is leaking or aging, it’s smart to address it ahead of listing — you may even be able to price your home higher because it has a brand-new roof. 

Seller tips: If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan (about 20-25 years for asphalt or wood shingles, longer if it’s clay, metal or slate), consider replacing it before you list. If that’s not an option, you may want to get a repair or replacement estimate to provide to prospective buyers. If the roof is still relatively new, look for damaged, loose or missing shingles; signs of water pooling near the roofline; clogged gutters; or sagging. 

Major electrical issues

Electrical problems increase the risk of fire, presenting a serious safety hazard. The buyer may be able to handle some problems on their own — like adding GFCI outlets — but won’t take on costlier issues like faulty or outdated wiring.

Seller tips: If your home is older or was renovated (particularly DIY), have a licensed electrician do a pre-listing inspection for improperly installed, outdated or ungrounded setups. They can also flag things like exposed or frayed wiring and overloaded breakers. Based on that assessment, you can work with your real estate agent to determine which fixes to make ahead of listing, or how to price your home to account for any issues.

Leaky or corroded plumbing and water damage

Buyers know that even seemingly minor leaks may be a sign of larger plumbing problems behind walls or under the floor. The buyer’s inspector will look for things like corroded pipes, low water pressure, water stains and outdated fixtures.

Seller tips: Run every faucet and flush toilets to check for slow drainage or leaks. (If it’s a simple clog, you may be able to fix it yourself.) It’s a good idea to call a plumber if there are obvious signs of moisture, such as warped cabinetry, or deteriorating pipes. In addition, if your water heater is nearing 10 years old, you may want to have it serviced or replaced — this can be a common buyer repair request.

Foundation or structural issues

Foundation and other structural problems are some of the most expensive concerns to fix, and these issues tend to be an immediate focus for an inspector. They’ll look for things like cracks in the foundation, uneven floors and sagging beams and joists.

Seller tips: Walk the perimeter of your house to check the foundation. If you see cracks wider than a quarter-inch, consider having a structural engineer provide an evaluation before your home hits the market. This documentation from a professional may help reduce buyer concerns.

Termites and other pests

The signs of termites and other pests include chewed or rotting wood, droppings and damage to insulation, baseboards and trim. Most mortgage lenders won’t approve the buyer’s loan if the home has termites, so if your home has them, it’s imperative to resolve this issue ahead of listing. Keep in mind that it can take a few days to fumigate the home. 

Seller tips: If your home has termites, your next steps depend on the type of termites and extent of the infestation. Whatever the treatment, be sure to have documentation to provide to buyers. The same goes for other treatments you do for other types of pests, like bed bugs or carpenter ants.

Mold and mildew

Mold and mildew are clear signs of a moisture problem, often a leak or past flooding, high indoor humidity or inadequate ventilation. Not every inspector is able to identify the cause of the mold or mildew, but they’ll certainly note visible areas, even in crawl spaces.

Seller tips: You may not notice mold or mildew if it’s in areas you don’t use frequently. In general, if the home feels damp (especially the basement), you smell mustiness or see condensation, these could be signs. You can try using a dehumidifier initially, but it’s better to find and resolve the source of the moisture first. A remediation company can help.

Environmental hazards and unsafe materials

If your home is older, it may contain materials that were standard in the past but now considered hazardous, such as asbestos and lead. Asbestos is harder to identify, but in general, if you have popcorn ceilings or notice crumbling or flaking material, those can be signs it was used in the building of the home.

Along with asbestos and lead, your home may be in an area with radon that exceeds EPA-approved levels, making it unsafe to live in. You can’t see, smell or taste radon, so if you want to know if it’s an issue before the buyer’s inspection, you’ll need to have your own pre-listing inspection or buy an inexpensive DIY kit to test for it.

Note that standard home inspection doesn’t assess for these hazards, but many buyers choose to have additional inspections specifically to check for them. If found, they’ll almost certainly request repairs, or potentially walk away.

Seller tips: If your home was built before 1978 and you know it has lead-based paint, you’re required by law to disclose that to buyers. If the paint has been disturbed (such as chipping, cracking or peeling), hire a painter certified in removing lead-based paint to fix the issue. Likewise, if you believe there may be asbestos in your home, contact an environmental hazard removal company to address it — don’t try to do it yourself. Lastly, if you’re aware of radon in the home, it may be worth installing a mitigation system before listing.

What to do if the home inspection reveals problems

Don't panic if the home inspection fails in some (or many) areas. You may still be able to sell your home by making repairs; giving the buyer a credit so they can do repairs themselves; or selling your home as-is.

Option 1: Pay for repairs

If you’re willing, you can pay for any repairs that arise out of the home inspection yourself. This may be the easiest option if you’re especially motivated to sell and have the means. Keep in mind, you’ll have to make repairs that would otherwise prevent the buyer from getting their mortgage approved. (Learn more here about FHA inspections.)

You don’t have to spend money on every repair the buyer asks for, however. Here’s a look at some potentially unreasonable requests:

• Anything inexpensive, including DIY repairs
• Normal wear-and-tear
• Cosmetic issues, such as unkempt landscaping or outdated tiles
• Code violations in an older home that don’t impact function or safety
• Cracked caulk
• Loose fixtures
• Squeaky doors or windows
• Cracks that are too small or otherwise don’t impact structural integrity
• Energy-efficient appliance or system upgrades

Option 2: Negotiate with seller credits

Although you can pay for home inspection repairs yourself, most buyers and sellers negotiate them, with the seller often providing a credit. A seller credit is simply money a seller gives to a buyer at closing to cover the cost of repairs — but typically only partially.

Usually, the buyer requests a specific dollar amount as a credit, which the seller either agrees to or counters. The real estate agents on both sides handle these communications, and advise each party on strategy. Many home inspection hiccups get resolved this way.

Option 3: Sell the home as-is

If a home inspection turns up too many issues for you or a buyer to manage — or you don’t want to deal with repairs at all — another option is to sell your home as-is, in its current condition.

Selling as-is may work if you know the home has significant issues and don’t have the money or time to deal with them. It also often comes at the expense of losing profit. Work with your agent to make sure you understand the implications of selling as-is, including lowering the price of the home.

Keep in mind, too: If the deal falls apart, you may have to disclose the findings of the buyer’s inspection to the next buyer.

When you’re ready to sell

to correct issues early, helping you avoid renegotiations and surprises. The more proactive you are in preparing your home, the smoother your sale may be.

When you're ready to list, make sure you choose the path that fits your timeline and goals. Zillow offers flexible selling options — whether you work with a partner agent, get a cash offer or sell yourself — to help you turn those inspection hurdles into a successful close.

This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed, professional contractor. You should seek the advice of such professionals before undertaking repair or abatement work.

If you are already working with an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business.