What Really Matters In A Home Inspection?
Okay so you have found the “right” home and successfully negotiated a contract with the seller. The loan application has been completed, the appraisal ordered, you have received and reviewed the “Sellers Disclosure Report” and your Real Estate Agent is taking care of all the details necessary to close. The next thing you need to do is order a HOME INSPECTION. You should do your homework and get recommendations from your Real Estate Agent and based on those recommendations and the references the Home Inspectors provide, choose an inspector and order the inspection. After the inspection you will receive a written inspection report.
You might find the entire process a little stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports and the inspector comments during the inspection. (Yes, you can and should, if possible, be there and ask questions.) All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your inspection will cover maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about; however, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:
- Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
- Things that lead to major defects. A small roof flashing leak, for example.
- Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the home.
- Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items. Don’t forget! Your Real Estate Agent is your most important resource. Consult with him during this process as he has done this many times before and can provide a perspective based on experience.
Need information about Montrose Colorado Real Estate –visit www.MontrosePropertyGuide.com
Questions: Please email me at steve@MontrosePropertyGuide.com or call me Steve Conklin at 970-209-4446
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