Establishment of housing transfer inspection items using SEM: Empirical study in Taiwan

Disputes during the housing transfer process often lead to dissatisfaction for homeowners. This study aims to address these issues by (1) proposing a comprehensive house inspection guideline with key items and criteria, and (2) evaluating how inspection services influence homebuyers’ purchase intentions and perceived value. Based on comprehensive literature review and expert input, eight major inspection categories and 43 criteria were identified. These formed the basis for a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) framework and three hypotheses. A pilot survey with 50 participants confirmed strong reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.880–0.945). Of 500 distributed questionnaires, 206 valid responses were collected. SEM analysis showed that inspection services significantly enhance both purchase intentions and perceived value, with R² values exceeding 79% in most areas, except for environmental inspections. Building structure, water supply/drainage and water leakage are the most influential findings in shaping perceived value. These results highlight the importance of targeted inspection services in addressing homebuyer perceived value and improving the overall housing experience in Taiwan.