Home Inspections

There are situations in which you as a homebuyer may be in need of protection: here is one example. You have finally found the home that is right for you, but you have some questions about the structure and condition of the home. A home inspection is the best place to get answers that will help protect your interests as a buyer. There are companies that specialize in inspecting new and used homes. Most sellers allow a reasonable amount of time to have the property inspected after the purchase agreement is agreed upon and prior to closing. It is wise to have a home inspection, even if the house is new or everything appears to be in perfect condition.

The inspector can provide important information about the house. Where are the gas and water shut-off valves? How do the circuit breakers operate? What type of routine maintenance should be done for each system? The inspector’s fee is an investment that can save you money later!

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Many of today’s purchase offers include a contingency clause that allows the buyers to hire a home inspector or professional expert to inspect the property. If there is a significant defect in the property, the buyer can cancel the contract without losing the earnest money deposit. Contingencies are excellent procedures that protects both the buyer and the seller.

The time period for inspection contingencies is negotiable. In most parts of the country, the buyers have about a week in which to cancel the contract if the structural inspection reveals a serious and consequential defect. The positive side to such contingencies is that the inspection usually addresses–and overcomes–the buyers’ misgivings, and confirms their decision to move ahead with the purchase.

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Most houses have a few “little” problems, like leaking faucets, a stove burner that won’t light, or electrical outlets with too much “spark”. These defects may not seem very important–unless your house is about to go on the market.

We rarely have difficulty getting sellers to agree to paint, replace worn carpets or plant a few flowers in the front yard. These kinds of repairs obviously increase the overall appeal of the property. However, if any of the major systems in your home need maintenance, it is also prudent to have the necessary repairs made. Have your furnace, central air-conditioning system, plumbing and wiring checked as part of your pre-marketing efforts. The best rule is–if it’s broken, fix it!

The purchase agreement requires that a house be conveyed with all the systems in working order, and most buyers will bring in a home inspector to identify any potential problems. During the period of time between the “meeting of the minds” and the removal of the inspection contingencies, the buyers are the most vulnerable to an attack of buyer’s remorse. This is also the time when anything that hasn’t been repaired could become a major issue.

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Before buyers close on their new home purchase, they typically make a “walk-through” inspection to ensure that the property is in the same condition as it was when the purchase agreement was drawn up.

Some sellers convey the appliances and major systems “as is,” offering no promise that they will be in working order. Other agreements require all of the major mechanical systems, such as heating, plumbing, and air conditioning, to be operational. It depends on the terms that are negotiated between the buyer and seller.

During this inspection, the buyer should check the appliances by turning each one on and letting it run through a full cycle. This gives the buyer a chance to make sure that any repairs that were to be made by the seller prior to the closing have been made. These details are much easier to work out before or during the closing than after the new owners take possession of the home.

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Many home buyers today are investing in a professional structural inspection before they finalize their purchase of a home. You should choose an inspector carefully and be prepared to learn important facts about your new home that could save you money.

When you have a ratified sales agreement, the real estate agent will set up an appointment for you to see the home with the inspector. Bring a notebook, even though you will get a written report of the inspection. Write down any questions or concerns that may occur to you as you tour the house, such as cracks in the walls, spots on the ceiling, or noises in the air conditioning system. And remember that no house is perfect. You should come away from the inspection with a fundamental understanding of what you are buying and how much the maintenance will cost.

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Most real estate offers require an inspection by a licensed exterminator to determine that the house doesn’t have termites or other wood boring insects. The inspector will look for two signs in deciding whether or not to pass a house–an active termite infestation and evidence of a past infestation.

If your house does not pass the termite inspection, get a list of qualified exterminators from your real estate agent. Find out what treatment options they offer and what they charge for the service. Exterminators are usually quite competitive. If your home was treated for a past infestation, the company which performed the extermination may be willing to re-certify your home without a second treatment. Arrange for the termite inspection as early as possible, so you will have time to determine the best way to get rid of them, if they are found.

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Your real estate agent’s job is to find you the perfect home, in the right location, with all the amenities you want–and at the right price. It is the home inspector’s job to find any skeletons in the closet — or in the plumbing, wiring, roof, basement and beams.

The inspector won’t pass or fail a home based on what he or she finds, but will go over the house thoroughly to help you understand the condition of the property you are buying. If there are any serious problems, your inspector can give you a realistic idea of how much the repairs will cost. If there are material defects that were not reflected in the asking price, you will have the opportunity to re-open negotiations with your sellers before you commit to the purchase. A good inspector will also explain the operation of the basic emergency systems such as the main water cut off valve and the circuit breaker box, and will go over items that will need routine maintenance.

If you are buying a house, we recommend that you make a professional home inspector part of your home purchase team.

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