A home inspection is an inspection of a residential property or building, be it a detached home, apartment, condo, ranch or townhouse. Home inspections are non-invasive, visual examinations of a home or building’s elements, including the property’s mechanical, structural, plumbing, and electrical. They are often undertaken prior to a sale or purchase and are meant to assist in the overall condition of the property, and help determine any elements that may have significant impact on the property.