Home safety does not stop after the inspection. The Safe Home Book is a helpful homeowner safety guide that covers many common safety topics, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide, electrical safety, garage doors, ladders, decks, pools, emergency preparedness, and aging-in-place safety.

This guide is provided as a general homeowner resource to help buyers better understand common safety concerns around the home.

A home inspection goes smoother when the inspector has clear access to the major systems and components of the home. Before the inspection, it is helpful to make sure important areas such as the electrical panel, water heater, furnace, attic access, crawlspace access, garage, and exterior areas are accessible.

This preparation checklist is especially helpful for sellers, listing agents, and homeowners preparing the property before the inspection.

Many rural homes in South Central Missouri use a private well instead of public water. When buying a home with a private well, it is important to understand that the well is part of the property and is typically the homeowner’s responsibility to monitor and maintain.

Water testing can help identify certain water quality concerns that may not be visible during a normal showing or home inspection. Buyers should ask about the well location, well cap condition, recent testing, water pressure concerns, and any known issues with the system.

TruSquare Home Inspections can collect private well water samples and submit them to a State of Missouri-approved laboratory for bacteria testing. Results are typically available within 48–72 hours after the lab receives the sample.