Inspect before you buy…

The Real Story …

News and commentary about the real estate market and related topics.

Dave Parrish, ABR ®, CRSA, CSP, GRI, ePRO ®, REALTOR ®, RealtySouth

An ounce of prevention … worth a pound of cure.

It makes sense doesn’t it that you would inspect a property before you buy. Yet, when it come right down to it many buyers don’t really understand how very important this step is and how it is used in the purchase process, what it includes and doesn’t include, who should do it, etc. So, here’s the Who, What, Why, Where and When of Home Inspections.

First of all a reminder: Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware). Hope you read my article several weeks back about Caveat Emptor … But just in case you missed it, here is a quick summary: Alabama is a modified Caveat Emptor State. This means that except for health and safety issues it is the responsibility and duty of the buyer of real property to determine the fitness and suitability of a property before they purchase it … No ands, ifs or buts!

What: A home inspection is an opportunity to make a through physical examination of a property to exercise many of its components and systems to determine the overall condition of the property both inside and outside. I rarely write an offer to purchase for my clients without requiring a home inspection and making the contract’s execution contingent on an acceptable result or acceptable remediation of issues of importance to the buyer.

No home is perfect. Every home will have issues on a home inspection.

Home inspection reports do not describe the condition of every component if it’s in excellent shape; but, they should note every item that is defective or needing service. The serious problems include:

· Health and safety issues

· Roofs with a short life expectancy

· Furnace / A/C malfunctions

· Foundation deficiencies

· Moisture / drainage issues

Realize however that there are also things that the Home Inspection will not cover, such as:

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