The USDA doesn’t require an inspection, but it’s a smart move for buyers to do anyway. Appraisals are ordered by your lender to obtain a fair market value for the home. Generally, the appraiser will be checking to make sure the home meets all the USDA requirements, but won’t evaluate the property beyond that.
An inspector will be much more thorough, and will help you understand exactly what condition all of the home’s systems are in.
The inspector will show you any issues they find with the foundation, floors, walls, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, roof, or other parts of the house. They’ll also give you a sense of how much longer you can expect things like your hot water heater, furnace, air conditioner, and other major systems to last.
The buyer absorbs the full cost of the inspection, but it’s almost always money well spent. In fact, if possible, it might be wise to have inspection done before you move forward in the buying process to the point of getting an appraisal, to ensure you are making a smart investment in the home.