Home Inspection

When you purchase a new or resale home, you will want to be assured that it is in an acceptable condition.

Even though a new home should have been constructed in compliance with state and county building codes, different builders apply different standards. If you have any doubts as to the quality of construction, you should consider having a professional home inspection carried out.

With a resale home, this is even more important. The passage of time, environmental conditions and home maintenance, or the lack thereof, will impact upon the condition of the home. Therefore, it is crucial that you employ a professional home inspector to determine the condition of the home.

When negotiating terms with a seller, buyers should agree to a contingency clause in the purchase contract to carry out a home and WDO inspection within a defined period of time, in addition to a clause allowing the seller to make repairs up to an agreed maximum dollar amount.

Generally speaking, if the cost of repairs arising from the home inspection exceeds the pre-agreed contractual limit, then either party can be released from the contract, with the return in full of the buyer’s earnest deposit; or the terms of the contract can be re-negotiated.

Buyers are at liberty to employ the home inspectors of their choosing. If they have no preference, a good real estate agent can suggest several competent inspectors. If the buyers are unable to do so themselves, the agent can make the necessary arrangements for the inspections to be carried out and monitor the completion of necessary repairs prior to closing.