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It is generally not safe to live in a house with smoke damage, as even minor damage can pose long-term health hazards and structural risks. While it might seem safe temporarily depending on the severity, you should relocate if there is major damage or visible soot. Smoke smells and residue contain dangerous particulates and chemical compounds, including carcinogens, that are hazardous to breathe and can cause respiratory issues. These signs of damage are not always visible but can have dangerous short-term and long-term effects on your health, belongings, and your home's structural materials. You should not stay in the house until a trained professional from a smoke remediation or restoration company has assessed the damage and determined it is safe to return. Your insurance company may cover the cost of alternative housing while the professional work is completed.

A sagging, cracked, or uneven foundation, worn or outdated electrical systems, poor plumbing, and slow sewer lines are all common deal breakers that stem from home inspections. Musty odors, uneven floors, and sticky doors and windows may also be deal breakers that will tell you when to to walk away from a home inspection.

Any unexplained smell in your house should be investigated. However, some home odors are "red flag" worrisome because they pose immediate health and safety risks. Odors should be taken seriously when accompanied by headaches, nausea, or lightheadedness. If you smell an egg-like aroma, this is probably natural gas. You should leave the home immediately, and  contact your gas company.  

There are no strict rules for who is responsible for covering repair costs after a home inspection, as the issue is highly negotiable, except in cases of mandatory repairs. Major issues discovered during the inspection often lead to a renegotiation. The buyer might ask the seller to make the repairs as a condition of the sale, but it is more common for the buyer to use the estimated repair costs as leverage to lower the asking price. The seller may agree to lower the price to compensate the buyer or agree to fix the issues before the sale is complete. However, in a competitive real estate market, a seller might refuse to cover any repairs, knowing that other buyers may be willing to purchase the property as-is.