Southwest Philadelphia · ZIP 19142 / 19153

Southwest Philly Home Inspections.

Porch-front rowhomes in Elmwood, post-war brick rowhomes and twins with driveways and garages in Eastwick, and everything in between — Southwest Philadelphia offers some of the city’s most affordable homes near the airport and the Heinz Wildlife Refuge.

27+ years in Southwest Philly · 94k inspections · 4.9★ Google reviews · Next-day reports · 100% satisfaction

Southwest Philadelphia covers the far southwestern corner of the city, including Elmwood, Paschall and Eastwick, near Philadelphia International Airport and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Its housing ranges from early-20th-century porch-front brick rowhomes to post-war rowhomes and twins with garages and driveways, many built in the 1950s through the 1970s. That shapes the inspection: original windows, roofs, boilers and panels in mid-century homes; garages, driveways and grading; porches and party walls in older blocks; basement and slab moisture; and sewer laterals. Parts of Eastwick are in low-lying, flood-prone areas, so we pay close attention to signs of past water entry. ValueGuard’s ASHI-certified home inspectors serve Southwest Philadelphia regularly, with photo-rich reports delivered the next business day.

Inspections from $429 — condos from $329. Save with a package:

Value Package · $829 · save $149 Value + Sewer Scope · $1,108 · save $199 Full Protection · $1,457 · save $249

See full pricing and packages →

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i. Why these homes are different

Southwest Philly homes, honest findings.

Most Southwest Philly homes are early-1900s porch rowhomes and post-war brick rowhomes and twins. Here’s what a thorough home inspection in Southwest Philly focuses on:

i
Post-War Homes, Original Systems
Many homes here were built from the 1940s through the 1960s. Original windows, roofs, boilers and electrical panels are often near or past the end of their service life, and remaining life is a key negotiation point.
ii
Garages & Driveways
Built-in garages bring their own issues: garage-door safety, cracked slabs, fire separation between the garage and living space, and driveways that drain toward the foundation.
iii
Flat & Low-Slope Roofs
Post-war rowhomes and twins often have low-slope roofs covered in rubber or modified bitumen. We check for ponding, worn seams, failed flashing and shared roof lines with the house next door.
iv
Basement Water & Grading
Rear yards, driveways and window wells that slope toward the house are where we most often find seepage, efflorescence, failed sump pumps and downspouts discharging at the foundation.
v
Electrical, Plumbing & Heat
Older fuse boxes and panels, ungrounded outlets, galvanized supply lines, cast-iron drains and aging boilers or furnaces are common in homes of this age.
vi
Sewer Laterals
In Philadelphia the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral all the way to the city main, including the part under the street. A camera scope documents roots, cracks and offsets before you close.

← Swipe to see all six →

Check flood history and drainage

Some Southwest Philadelphia streets, especially in Eastwick, sit in low-lying areas that have flooded. Our inspectors look for signs of past water entry, sump and drainage problems, and grading issues, and we recommend checking flood-zone status and insurance costs before you commit.

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From our recent caseload

Recently inspected in Southwest Philly.

A few of the Southwest Philadelphia homes our team has inspected recently. Swipe or use the arrows to see all two.


Brick rowhome on Buist Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia — ValueGuard home inspection
No. 01
Recently inspected · Southwest Philly
Rowhome on Buist Avenue
A 1960s brick rowhome, where original systems are now well into their service lives.

Inspection priorities

iRoof and flashing
iiWindows and doors
iiiHeating system age
ivGarage and driveway drainage

Porch-front rowhome on Guyer Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia — ValueGuard home inspection
No. 02
Recently inspected · Southwest Philly
Porch-Front Rowhome on Guyer Avenue
A 1920s porch-front rowhome, where porches, roofs and older systems are the main concerns.

Inspection priorities

iPorch roof and framing
iiFlat roof and party walls
iiiOlder wiring
ivSewer lateral

Photos from recent ValueGuard inspections in Southwest Philly.

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ii. The services that matter most

What to inspect in Southwest Philly.

Service i.
Home Inspection
A comprehensive evaluation of structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and major systems — calibrated to Southwest Philly’s early-1900s porch rowhomes and post-war brick rowhomes and twins — delivered as a photo-rich report the next business day. Condos from $329.
Service ii.
Sewer Scope Inspection
Strongly recommended for most Southwest Philly homes. In Philadelphia, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral all the way to the city main, including the section under the street. Our camera travels the full line and documents what it finds.
Service iii.
Radon Testing
Philadelphia County is EPA Zone 3 on the county map, but radon varies house to house and older basements regularly test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. Our PA DEP-certified technicians use tamper-resistant electronic monitors with 48-hour turnaround. Mitigation, if needed, typically runs $800 to $2,500.
Service iv.
Termite / WDI & Mold Testing
Termite and wood-destroying-insect inspections are required by most lenders, and mold testing is key for older basements, party-wall leaks and any home with signs of moisture. Both can be added in a single visit.

← Swipe to see all four →

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iii. Your local inspection team

Meet your Southwest Philly home inspectors.

When you book ValueGuard in Southwest Philly, you get ASHI-certified home inspectors with deep expertise in Philadelphia’s housing stock — from porch-front rowhomes to post-war rowhomes and twins. Swipe or use the arrows to meet all 10 inspectors serving Southwest Philly and Philadelphia.


SH

Steven Haslam
Master Inspector — 7,000+ Inspections

An ASHI member inspector since 2007 with 7,000+ inspections across Greater Philadelphia. Highly experienced with Philadelphia’s full range of housing — from century-old rowhomes and twins to condos and new construction.

MK

Michael Kelley
Master Inspector — 20+ Years, 10,000+ Inspections

20+ years and 10,000+ inspections across Southeastern PA, and one of ValueGuard’s most requested inspectors. Former VP of Tri-State ASHI and an ASHI National Ethics Committee member, he is especially valuable for Southwest Philadelphia’s rowhomes and twins.

DB

David Bollinger
Master Inspector — ASHI Since 2003

Inspecting residential and commercial properties across all five Greater Philadelphia counties since 2003. In very high demand from client referrals. Especially skilled at turning a complex inspection report into practical negotiation guidance for Philadelphia buyers.

MB

Michael Baltrush
Master Inspector — 6,000+ Inspections

15+ years and 6,000+ inspections across Southeastern PA. Brings the kind of pattern recognition that only comes from inspecting thousands of homes across every era of Philadelphia construction.

TG

Tyler Gilger
Technical Service Manager — Master Inspector

One of the most thorough inspectors on the team — known for spending 5+ hours on a single property when the job demands it. Consistently praised for his ability to access difficult spaces and explain complex findings in clear, straightforward language.

TD

Todd Denney
ASHI Certified Inspector

Brings a background in carpentry, exterior renovations, and remediation to every inspection — with a deep working knowledge of home construction and what less experienced inspectors tend to miss. Licensed termite inspector.

JR

James Royer
ASHI Certified — President, Keystone ASHI

James brings deep local expertise to Southwest Philly and nearby Kingsessing and Eastwick, where rowhomes and twins each demand a careful, experienced eye. Recently elected President of Keystone ASHI, he is among the region’s most credentialed and respected inspectors.

NO

Nick Ostrowski
ASHI Certified — Greater Philadelphia Local

ASHI-certified since 2016, Nick brings genuine local knowledge to every Southwest Philly inspection. Clients consistently describe him as thorough, patient, and excellent at explaining what every finding means for them as a buyer.

JT

Joe Topper
Home Inspector — 2,500+ Inspections

Joe brings the ValueGuard standards of thoroughness, patience, and clear communication that clients expect across the entire team. Available 7 days a week for Philadelphia inspections.

CS

Cory Shalaway
Director of Technical Services — Master Inspector

As ValueGuard’s Director of Technical Services, Cory brings unmatched local knowledge to Southwest Philly inspections, from porch-front rowhomes to post-war rowhomes and twins. Known for arriving early, communicating clearly, and delivering exceptionally thorough, photo-rich reports.

Schedule now
Meet our full team →

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iv. Services & pricing

Southwest Philly inspection pricing.

Starting prices shown. Final price confirmed at booking. See full pricing →

Service From Notes
Home Inspection $429 Single-family; size & age-based
Condo Inspection $329 Interior unit + accessible common areas
Radon Testing Add-on Recommended for every home
Termite / WDI Add-on Licensed & certified; required by most lenders
Sewer Scope Add-on Recommended for most Philadelphia homes
Mold Inspection Add-on Air sampling; key for older basements
Pre-Listing Inspection From $429 Sellers: list with confidence
Value Package · $829 · save $149 Value + Sewer Scope · $1,108 · save $199 Full Protection · $1,457 · save $249

See full pricing and packages →

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v. What Southwest Philly buyers say

From recent buyers.

“
★★★★★

James was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He has great attention to detail and excellent communication skills. Would highly recommend.

Lindsey Kuhl
Google · Inspector: James Royer

“
★★★★★

Cory and Michael were amazing! So glad ValueGuard was recommended to me. Scheduling was smooth and the inspections were thorough.

Kaity Quay
Google · Inspectors: Cory Shalaway & Michael Kelley

“
★★★★★

Michael did an excellent job. He arrived early, was thorough in every area, and took the time to explain each finding clearly. Completely understand why our agent recommended this company.

Dayna Marie
Google · Inspector: Michael Kelley

← Swipe to see all three →

Read all 1,300+ Google reviews →·See our reviews page →

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vi. Common questions

Southwest Philly home inspection FAQs.

How much does a home inspection cost in Southwest Philly, PA?
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Home inspections start at $429 for a single-family home and $329 for a condo. Final pricing reflects the home’s size and age. Packages save more: Value Package $829 (save $149), Value + Sewer Scope $1,108 (save $199), and Full Protection $1,457 (save up to $249). Get an instant quote online or call (215) 860-3150.
Is radon testing necessary in Southwest Philly, PA?
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We recommend it. Philadelphia County is EPA Radon Zone 3 on the county-level map, but radon varies dramatically from house to house, and older Philadelphia homes with stone foundations and basements can still test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone. Our DEP-certified technicians use tamper-resistant electronic monitors and deliver results within 48 hours.
What are the most common issues in Southwest Philly homes?
+
Common findings include flat-roof and flashing wear, party-wall leaks, damp stone or brick basements, older wiring and undersized electrical service, aging boilers and water heaters, galvanized or cast-iron plumbing, uneven renovation quality, and root intrusion or breaks in older sewer laterals. Our home inspectors explain what is routine for a home of its age versus what is worth negotiating.
Are there flood concerns for homes in Southwest Philadelphia?
+
Some areas, particularly parts of Eastwick, are low-lying and have flooded. We look for visible signs of past water entry, sump pump and drainage problems, and grading issues. We also recommend checking FEMA flood maps and getting an insurance quote before you commit.
What are common issues in post-war Southwest Philly homes?
+
Homes from the 1950s through the 1970s often have original windows, roofs, panels, boilers or furnaces near the end of their lives, along with garage and driveway drainage issues. We explain which items need attention now and which can be planned for.
Do I need a sewer scope in Southwest Philly?
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For most Southwest Philly homes, yes. In Philadelphia the homeowner owns the sewer lateral all the way to the city main, and older clay and cast-iron lines are prone to roots, cracks and offsets. Repairs under the street can cost $10,000 or more, while a camera scope costs a few hundred dollars and documents the full line before you close.
Can I attend the home inspection?
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Absolutely — and we encourage it. Our home inspectors walk you through every finding in real time and answer your questions on the spot. Most Southwest Philly inspections run 2 to 3 hours depending on the size and age of the home.
How quickly can I schedule a home inspection in Southwest Philly?
+
Typically within 1–3 business days, often same-week. We inspect seven days a week and deliver reports by email the next business day — most of the time the same day. For tight contingency windows, call us directly at (215) 860-3150.
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vii. Serving all of Philadelphia

Also inspecting nearby neighborhoods.

Wherever you’re buying in West Philadelphia or anywhere in Philadelphia, ValueGuard is your local home inspector.

West PhillyUniversity CitySpruce HillCedar ParkPowelton VillageKingsessingSouthwest PhillyOverbrookWynnefieldGrays FerryFitler SquareAll Philadelphia Neighborhoods →

Ready when you are

Let’s take a closer look at your Southwest Philly home.

Book online in under 3 minutes — or call (215) 860-3150. Seven days a week. Report in your inbox tomorrow. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Schedule my inspection Get instant quote

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ValueGuard Home Inspections — Southwest Philly
100 E Penn Square, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107  ·  (215) 860-3150
Inspections 7 days a week  ·  Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm  ·  ASHI-certified home inspectors in Southwest Philly  ·  Serving Southwest Philadelphia (19142, 19153) and all of Philadelphia, PA