You should always hire an independent professional home inspection service before you buy a house. It is too easy to buy your house at face value. Your dream house is a man made structure and there are many factors to consider. You may well think you’ll be able to find any flaws yourself that are serious enough to make you decide not to invest in a certain house, but don’t kid yourself. Another set of eyes will help you look deeper.
A professional house inspector will carefully inspect the house as a condition of your purchase. You will be given a detailed report that will allow you to make an intelligent decision. It is also better to have an independent third party find any problems since a seller is less likely to try to challenge you on them. Protecting your commitment is crucial; your earnest money agreement should contain an express condition that gives you the right to have an inspection, and the refund of your earnest money if you don’t approve it.
Friends who have recently purchased homes should be able to give you the names of reputable house inspectors. Word of mouth goes a long way, listen well. Whilst your real estate agent may also be able to give you a referral, be sensitive here to the potential conflict of a referral to an inspector who may be overlooking problems in an effort to close the deal quickly. Having independent sources of information will help you make objective decisions.
Depending on the location of your home, you may also want to get specialized inspections for insect or rodent damages, potential floods and other natural disasters, as well as toxic chemical inspections. This is relevant to BVI environmental impact issues on potential property purchases.
During the appointment your inspector will no doubt ask you to sign some paperwork that outlines what the inspection will entail. It is standard for there to be language to limit the inspector’s liability for things that he or she may fail to disclose. This may be negotiable, but don’t count on it. Ultimately, you will have to go with your own judgment on whether you have a reputable inspector – and that is why good referrals are important.
It’s important to be physically present with the inspector during the inspection, so that you can take careful notes and ask questions about how any problems can be repaired. Think ahead about possible concerns (that may include horror stories that you have heard from other people). Don’t be afraid to speak up.
- The inspector should carefully look over the house’s operating systems, including:
- • Electrical
- • Heating and air conditioning
- • Plumbing
- • Foundations
- • Roofs
- An inspector will be looking for evidence of:
- • Water seepage
- • Toxic Chemicals
- • Insect or Rodent Infestations
- • Code violations
- • Construction defects
The inspector should be able to tell you what’s necessary to repair any problems, and the approximate price range of repairs or improvements. It’s unethical for inspectors who are contractors or architects to offer to do the repairs on any problems they uncover. The inspector should be able to tell you what problems are necessary to repair, and the approximate price range of repairs or improvements. It’s unethical for inspectors who are contractors or architects to offer to do the repairs on any problems they uncover.
- Covering extensive repairs adds to your investment. If the inspection uncovers defects that will be expensive to repair, some of your options may include:
- • Deciding not to purchase the house and getting your earnest money refunded, under your earnest money agreement
- • Making another offer to purchase the house, factoring in the cost of repairs
- • Asking the seller to make the repairs or to adjust the purchase price
- • Making the repairs yourself after you buy the house, if the house appraises above the amount you’ve offered
Pursuing any of these options, though, will depend upon what you were able to negotiate in your agreement with the seller prior to the inspection. Keep breathing every step of the way, taking the time for a careful inspection of a house before you buy can save you a lot of money and aggravation.
Mark Wollner is the principal of Island Time ltd, The Professional Home Inspection Company. For further in depth advice call 4991557.
