Inspect That House!

So you've found the home of your dreams and you're finally under contract. Before you start packing your bags there's a very important step you should take in the home buying process. Inspections. A home inspection can send buyers and sellers back to the negotiation table and possibly kill the deal if serious defects in the home are uncovered.

To be better prepared for your home inspection here are some things you'll need to know:

• Who chooses your home inspector? For the most part, a home inspection takes place after a home in under contract. In this case, the buyer chooses the home inspector. Your Realtor can recommend an inspector, usually someone they've worked with before and trust. Some sellers may want to hire a home inspector prior to listing their home so they can uncover any issues and fix them before hitting the market.

• Paying for the inspection. If a buyer chooses to have a home inspection, the buyer pays for the inspection. Same goes for the seller. An inspector is an unbiased third party to the real estate transaction and will only give the inspection report to his or her client. A buyer can use the report to go back to the seller and ask for items to be repaired, credits, or a reduction in price.
  

• What is in a home inspection report? Basically, it's just the basics. An inspector will check the working order of items such as heating & air conditioning, plumbing, and electric. The inspection report will include the items of the home's exterior such as the roof, chimneys, windows, and doors.
  

• Cosmetic flaws. Are not a part of a home inspection. An inspector is looking for defects of the home and will point out items that need repair as well as potential safety-related concerns. Any cosmetic items that don't impair the integrity of the home are not a concern of a home inspector.
  

• Inspectors do not conduct destructive testing. Moving ceiling tiles or even peeling up carpeting are not things an inspector can or will do. Inspectors don't go behind walls either so it's possible a serious problem can be overlooked. Therefore, if a problem surfaces after the sale of the home, you cannot hold the inspector liable.

As always, I’m here for all your real estate needs and I appreciate referrals. Your referrals keep me going and Kristy Keeps You Moving!

Kristy O’Connor
Realtor®

Weichert, Realtors – Media

606 E. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
c: 267.243.6434 | o: 610.565.1300
KristyLOConnor@gmail.com | Facebook.com/kristyoc
http://kristyoconnor.wwmediaagent.com/