New Investor looking for advice
Kartheek WundavalliPro Member
Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 2 votesNew Investor looking for advice
10 Replies
- Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes5mo
Hopefully you have a solid inspector. Inspect all the mechanicals and scope the sewer line. If there is anything that needs done bring in a contractor so you aren't surprised
- 5moDenise SuppleeBusiness MemberRealtor · Willow Grove, PA · Member since 2017 · 970 posts · 638 votes
You want to pay attention to the HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical, those are what can hit you hardest financially. Ask how old everything is and what kind of life you realistically have left. Also look for signs of deferred maintenance, things like water stains, uneven floors, or patchwork repairs. Since it’s a duplex, compare both units closely. If one’s been maintained better than the other, it can give you insight into future costs.
Spark Rental Co-Investing Club577 Reviews - 5moJesus FloresPro MemberRental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2019 · 19 posts · 14 votes
Make sure the home inspector meets this criteria:
-National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE)
-interNACHI MemberHome Inspection Day (Home Inspector)
-Use thermal imaging/FLIR.
-Perform a roof level inspection.
-Use crawler robot/camera (crawl spaces).
-Perform a sewer scope camera inspection.Home Inspection Day (Buyer/Investor)
-Attend home inspection.
-Ask questions to the Home Inspector. - 5moDrew SygitBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
Quote from @Kartheek Wundavalli:
Good afternoon everyone!
I’ve been a longtime listener of the podcast and really appreciate this community—I’m excited to be part of it. My fiancée and I recently had an offer accepted on a duplex that we plan to owner-occupy. The other unit is currently leased through January 2027. Our inspection is scheduled for Wednesday.
I also own a single-family home in Florida that I purchased sight unseen while deployed, so I wasn’t able to attend that inspection. This time, I want to be more involved and informed.
For those with more experience, what are the key things I should be paying attention to or asking during the inspection? I’d like to better understand the property’s current condition, anticipate potential maintenance needs, and get a sense of timelines for future repairs or upgrades.
I appreciate any advice you can share—thank you!
This is the address if that helps in providing advice:
1001 Woronoca Ave Norfolk, VA 23503
Understand that not even new construction properties are "perfect", so expect issues to be found.
Make sure the inspector notes the priority of each issue flagged.
Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews - Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes5mo
Good question. Here's my take:
Most people treat an inspection like a grade on a report card. They want to know if the house "passed." That’s the wrong way to look at it. An inspection is just a way to look into the future. I’m not looking for a perfect house—those don’t exist. I’m looking for a house where I know exactly what’s going to break and when.
I don’t care about the peeling paint or the ugly carpet. That’s just noise. I focus on the "heavy lifters."
- The Roof: I’m not just asking if it leaks today. I want to know if it’s got two years left or ten. A roof is a big check to write; I’d rather know that check is coming before I sign the closing papers.
- The Gutters and Grading: This is simple stuff, but it’s the #1 killer of houses. Does the ground slope away from the walls? If water is sitting against that foundation, you’re buying a headache.
- The "Heart" of the House: The furnace and the water heater. I check the labels for the manufacture date. If that water heater is ten years old, it’s on a "farewell tour." I just need to budget for the replacement.
- The Panel: I want to see a clean electrical box. If it looks like a bird’s nest in there, or if it’s a brand that hasn't been allowed in houses since the 70s, we’ve got a problem.
When I’m walking around with the inspector, I usually ask them one thing: "If your daughter was buying this house, what would you tell her to fix first?" That usually gets them out of the "technical manual" talk and into the real-world truth.
At the end of the day, you’re buying a place where people are going to live. It needs to be safe, and it needs to be sound. Don't get distracted by the fancy kitchen or the new light fixtures. Look at the bones. If the bones are good, we can work with the rest. If the bones are soft, walk away.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
- 5moMin ZhangBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Hey Kartheek, when reviewing an inspection report as a buyer, the main goal is to identify big-ticket risks versus minor issues, starting with the major mechanical systems like HVAC, water heater, electrical, and plumbing. Pay close attention to their age, condition, and remaining lifespan, especially anything marked as a safety concern or near the end of its life. Next, evaluate the roof by looking at its age, signs of leaks or prior repairs, and how much useful life is left, since replacement can be a major expense. Then, carefully review the foundation and structure, watching for cracks, signs of settlement like uneven floors or sticking doors, and any evidence of water intrusion, as these can indicate costly structural problems. From there, you can decide what tonegotiate, request repairs for, or budget out.
- Real Estate Agent · VA · Member since 2025 · 8 posts · 3 votes4mo
Hey Kartheek, I am an investor and Agent in your area although all of my properties that I own are on the Virginia Beach side of Hampton Roads.
When it comes to our area and the address you posted I would be aware of what kind of flood zone your in and how close the high risk flood zones are because they do change. Also check the sex offender registry for that neighborhood. I see you have it pending so hopefully your Agent already checked those out for you and walked you through the details.
When it comes specifically to the inspection, moisture/termite damage can be a thing here and those are mandatory to check so please ensure you have a qualified professional do a good analysis. This is especially important on crawl spaces and even more so on ones not encapsulated. Reach out to me if you need more advice or want to talk future deals in the area, I do build out an annual spreadsheet of deals I see that cash flow well but I don't normally update it until the busy season starts to die down and we can see the end of season desperate sellers start to do more aggressive price drops.
-Ian
- Member since 2026 · 74 posts · 25 votes4mo
Welcome and thank you for your service. The fact that you are asking these questions before the inspection rather than after puts you way ahead of most first time buyers.
Here is what to focus on Wednesday:
The big four that cost the most money:
Roof — age, condition, and how many layers. A roof replacement runs $15,000 to $25,000 depending on size. Know where you stand before you close.
HVAC — age of both units systems separately. Anything over 15 years is a replacement conversation. Budget $5,000 to $10,000 per unit.
Electrical panel — look for Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels. Both are known fire hazards and insurance companies increasingly refuse to cover them. Replacement runs $3,000 to $5,000.
Plumbing — ask about pipe material. Cast iron, copper, galvanized, or PEX all have different life expectancies and repair costs.
The duplex specific questions:
Are both units on separate electrical meters. If not that is a future expense worth negotiating now.
What is the condition of the unit your tenant is currently occupying. You may have limited access but push for it. You are buying what you cannot see too.
Norfolk specifically:
Coastal humidity accelerates wood rot, mold, and foundation issues. Have the inspector pay close attention to crawl space moisture, window seals, and any wood in contact with soil.
Walk every inch yourself during the inspection. Ask questions out loud. This is your education not just a report.
You can absolutely do this!
- 4moRyan ThomsonBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Get clear on your buy box before you analyze a single deal. Market, price range, property type, strategy. Without that framework, you'll spend months spinning on deals that don't fit your actual goals.
If you're looking at your first property and you want to speed things up, house hacking is probably the fastest path. You live in one unit, tenants cover most or all of the mortgage, and you're building equity and cash flow at the same time. I've house hacked my way to 5 properties in Colorado Springs. It's not flashy, but the numbers work.
On financing: a lot of new investors are struggling to make deals cash flow right now at 7% rates. One thing worth knowing is that every FHA and VA loan is assumable by law. If a seller has a 2.75% or 3.25% loan from 2020-2021, you can step into their exact loan terms. On a $400K loan, the difference between 3.25% and 6.8% is about $850/month in your pocket every month. That can turn a deal that barely breaks even into something that actually makes sense.
Not every deal has an assumable loan, but it's worth filtering for them when you're searching.
What market are you targeting and what's your general strategy?
The Assumable Guy544 Reviews - 4moSean HudginsPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Chesapeake Va · Member since 2019 · 150 posts · 100 votes
Hey, we would love to hear how the inspection went and what you found. As a local investor and agent, I think you found a great property in a great area. When you close, I'm sure everybody here would love to hear your success at closing and how the whole process went for you.
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