Who pays for the home inspection, and should I use the inspector my agent recommends?

Buyers typically pay for their own home inspection directly, separate from closing costs, and that cost is not something a seller usually covers. Using an inspector your agent recommends is fine as long as you also independently verify their license and read sample reports, since the inspector's job is to represent your interests, not your agent's relationship with them. Getting a second opinion or comparing a couple of names before choosing is a reasonable extra step. Ask your agent for more than one recommendation so you have a real choice.