Home Inspections

Are you considering taking out hazard insurance on a property before you actually take title? It may be a good idea!

Even though you are not yet the owner of record, as the buyer, you have an insurable interest in a property the moment that you and the seller execute the sales agreement. As a matter of practice, however, buyers do not usually take out insurance until the papers change hands, and it should not be necessary if the agreement of sale is properly executed.

It is very important to both parties that the agreement states that the property will be insured for a specific amount. From the buyer’s point of view, an adequate sum must be stipulated, and the agreement should not read “as now insured”, which can indicate that the seller may not want to increase the insurance.

As a general rule, the amount of insurance on the buildings on a property should equal the sales price, less the value of the lot.

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Buyers can be a little cranky on closing day if things go wrong during the walk-through inspection. For example, the sellers’ dependable old dishwasher might stop midway through its cycle and the bathroom sink might clog unexpectedly. These situations can create anxiety for the buyers and sellers, but such problems are quite common and usually simple to resolve.

Most purchase agreements require that the major mechanical systems and the appliances being conveyed are in working order at the time of the closing. Defects are often discovered during the structural inspection, allowing the sellers plenty of time to have the repairs made. Occasionally there are last-minute breakdowns or defects that are not spotted until the walk-through inspection. In that case, an agreement can be made with the sellers at the closing to escrow funds for the repair or replacement of the items in question.

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Home buyers must often deal with deferred maintenance or repairs. For example, you may have found a terrific house and like many competent home buyers, you included a structural inspection contingency in your purchase agreement. What happens when you find out that your “perfect” house needs some work? Do you ask the sellers to pay for the repairs? Before you answer “yes”, there are some important considerations.

Some contracts require that all of the home’s systems, such as plumbing, heating, electrical and central air conditioning, be in working order. In this case, the sellers may be obligated to repair any problems with these systems. Leaky roofs, damp basements, or other structural problems may not be covered, however. If you ask the sellers to make these types of repairs, you may void the contract by doing so. The sellers might prefer to negotiate the repairs to keep from losing the sale. If there are other buyers waiting in the wings with back-up contracts, you run the risk of losing the home.

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Are you looking for a home and becoming tired of house-hunting? If so, you may be tempted to buy a bargain-priced home “as is” and forego the home inspection. But without the inspection report, do you know what the “as it” refers to? Wouldn’t it be better to know what condition the home is in before you buy it?

The inspection contingency allows the buyer to enlist the services of a licensed home inspector within three to seven days after the purchase agreement is signed. The inspector will go over the property from top to bottom, evaluating the condition of all the basic systems and structures of the home in order to identify conditions that may be considered material defects and thus may affect the market value or the safety of the home.

The inspector’s report is the only documented proof of the actual condition of the property that is being sold. It is a valuable tool that helps you negotiate the sales contract and gives you information about future maintenance projects. The cost of an inspection is well worth the peace of mind it provides.

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Structural inspection contingencies are a common feature of home purchase offers. A buyer is allowed a certain period of time to have an expert look over the home, examining the structure, plumbing, wiring, roof, and appliances to give the buyer a realistic idea of what they are getting into.

How do you find the right inspector? Look for an expert on pre-purchase home inspections, not simply a renovation contractor or a friend who can tell copper from galvanized pipes. There are specialists in most cities, or you can obtain a list from a real estate agent. Ask for recommendations from friends who have recently purchased homes. Most inspectors have some background in building or engineering, and have had additional training related specifically to residences. Call several companies, and ask about the background and training of the staff, as well as their rates.

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Most home purchase agreements have clauses that deal with termites. After the agreement is ratified, a termite inspection is arranged. Before the closing can occur, the sellers must be able to produce papers signed by a licensed exterminator stating that the house is free of infestation and that any termite damage has been repaired.

Before you sign an agreement to buy or sell a home, you should read the termite clause and be sure that you understand it. Who selects the exterminator and pays for the inspection? If bugs are found, who pays for the treatment? Are the sellers obligated to repair any damage and have they placed a limit of the dollar amount they will spend on those repairs? If treatment is required, the buyers may want a chance to discuss the options with the pest control company, especially if someone in the family is sensitive to the chemicals used to control the termites. Ask about the exterminator’s guarantees or service contract options.

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If you have a house for sale your buyers will probably include a structural inspection contingency in the contract. This allows them to have an expert check out the house, the major systems and the appliances.

A professional structural inspector can help buyers to “know” the house and to feel comfortable with it, but the inspection does not result in a pass or fail grade. The buyers will learn important facts about the house, such as where the water cutoff valve is located, in case of an emergency. The inspection may also help buyers set up a budget for repairs and determine if they want to invest in cost-effective measures to increase energy efficiency.

Buyers rarely back out of a sale after a structural inspection. Even if there are problems, you have the opportunity to negotiate a compromise and to avoid any obstacles that could seriously threaten the sale.

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When you are involved in the process of buying a home, it is safe to assume that you will probably find one that you like, make an offer, and purchase it. There are many steps along the way, and more and more buyers in the market today want guarantees. Inspections by structural engineers and environmental specialists often turn up something wrong with the property you want to buy. Many sales have been halted or delayed because asbestos, lead, or radon was found on the property.

If a problem has been found with the property you want to buy, ask yourself two questions:
1) Can the problem be fixed?
2) If so, what will it cost to repair it?

Some of the following problems could keep you from purchasing a property, if:
1) the house rests on a fault line;
2) the water supply is contaminated;
3) there is a severe crack in the foundation;
4) the house is located under electro-magnetic power lines;
5) the house is contaminated with radon gas.

Enlist your real estate agent’s help in identifying the existence of any of these problems prior to buying property.

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In most real estate transactions there are a few responsibilities that the sellers need to handle before the closing, such as repairs and termite extermination. The deadline for completing these obligations usually coincides with the actual closing. Many sellers barely make that deadline. Those who wait until the last minute to handle these matters may miss the deadline altogether or pay high rates in order to get a plumber, roofer or electrician on an emergency basis.

Your buyers will probably get a structural inspection done after the contract is ratified. Within 10 days of the contract’s acceptance by all parties, the pest inspection should be scheduled. Even though sellers usually know well in advance what is needed, they sometimes put things off until the buyers have finalized the loan approval process. Since these repairs will have to be made anyway, it is a good idea to get them done promptly.

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When you sell a house, the buyers will probably have a home inspection before they sign a contract to purchase the home. The inspector may turn up something that needs attention or repair, and after the inspection, the buyers may produce a list of items they want repaired as a condition for moving forward on the sale.

When you get the buyers’ list, remember that some of the items may be negotiable. Sales contracts usually require that all the systems be in working condition. Some buyers may make requests that go beyond the normal obligations of the seller. They may ask for a new roof or certain structural repairs that you may not want to make. Your agent can help you to assess the risks of just saying “no” to buyers who are making demands you consider to be unreasonable. You may decide to decline the requests, but the buyers may also decide to back out of the deal as a result.

When you agree to make repairs, hire licensed professionals who will guarantee their work, and give copies of the reports to the buyers. Arrange to have the repairs made as far ahead of time to avoid last-minute complications which could compromise the transaction.

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