Real Es tate PAPER The Home Inspections and Real Estate

Home inspections are an important part of a real estate transaction. I have been disappointed to learn that many consumers do not realize that they have the option to have a home inspection on the property they are purchasing. In a typical transaction, the opportunity to conduct a home inspection occurs during your due diligence period. This is the point, in a contract, where the buyer has a negotiated length of time, usually 7-21 days, to conduct their due diligence on the property. Home inspectors will typically charge a few hundred dollars for an inspection, depending on the size of the property and other factors like a crawlspace. Georgia is one of about 20 states that have not adopted licensing for home inspectors. It is important to consider a home inspector’s training and background when considering who to use. Your Realtor should have a pool of trusted home inspectors for you to consider.

A home inspector will thoroughly inspect the property you are purchasing. This includes structural, functional, and even cosmetic issues. I would recommend an engineer for structural issues however.

Typically, home inspectors will provide an in-depth report for you about the house that will include safety issues, major defects and minor items. The due diligence is the time of the contract where the buyer can ask the seller to resolve the issues on the home inspection report or provide a price reduction, closing costs, etc. in lieu of repairs. The repairs are negotiable.

The real estate market has not always provided buyers with a due diligence period and the opportunity for home inspections. In fact, “buyer representation” is still a rather new concept. Historically, the real estate market practiced more of a “buyer beware” mindset during a real estate transaction. As a broker/agent, you listed a property, received buyer calls/leads and worked with the buyer yourself. It was not uncommon for a listing agent to represent both the buyer and seller in what is called dual-agency. Georgia is one of a few states where dual-agency is still practiced. The market has shifted in the last few decades to where buyer representation and due diligence periods, in a contract, are a normal part of most transactions.

A home inspection often carries a negative connotation to sellers. They can see it as the buyer beating them down on price or picking their house apart. A home inspection can be a good thing for sellers if they complete one upfront. It is a wise move to have a home inspection conducted before you list a property so you can have any potential problems taken care of before you list the property and not in the middle of a transaction. I would strongly recommend this, especially in an older home. This will allow you, as a seller, to obtain top-dollar and a quicker closing.

Jess Barron is an Associate Broker with Lindseys, Inc. Realtors and former President of the Newnan-Coweta Board of Realtors. ■

FRANK BARRON Associate Broker 770-231-9535 FrankB@LindseysRealtors.com

1948-2023

“Serving All of Newnan and Coweta County Since 1948” www.LindseysRealtors.com

JESS BARRON, GRI Associate Broker 678-857-9350

JessB@LindseysRealtors.com

14 Jackson Street, Newnan, GA 30263 • 770-253-6990

MLS #20005781

24+/- ACRES ON POPLAR ROAD AT YEAGER ROAD INTERSECTION. Already zoned C-6 with water and sewer. Ideal for multiuse development. $7,000,000 for all or will consider subdividing front 5 acres for $500,000 per acre and back 19+/- acres for $250,000 per acre. Frank / Chip.

MLS #10120310

HURRY ON THIS 14.41+/- WOODED ACRE TRACT ON US HWY 29 approximately 5 miles north of Newnan! 819.25’ Road frontage. Small pond. Ideal for development, church, school, estate size lot or possible subdivision. $599,900. Frank / Chip.

MLS #10162803

LOTS/LAND

2 WOODED VACANT LOTS in West Coweta on East Coggins Road. Easy access to Newnan, Franklin or Carrollton. $60,000 per

. Frank/Jess.

LOTS/LAND

12 CHOICE BUILDING LOTS in Grantville. Easy access to I-85, Atlanta, Newnan, LaGrange and Columbus. Sold ‘as is’. $420,000 Bulk Sale Only. Frank/Jess.

MLS #10162670

NICELY WOODED TRACT! IDEAL FOR HOMESITE IN GOOD AREA OF NORTH MERIWETHER COUNTY! Has 643’ of road frontage on one side of Callaway Road and 384’ of frontage on the other. 321a+/- road frontage on Johns Road. Nicely wooded tract with pines and hardwoods. Lots of wildlife including deer and turkey. $90,100. Frank

.8 ACRES VACANT LOT IN DEVELOPED SUBDIVISION. Subject to Covenants and Restrictions of record. Nicely wooded lot. Possible basement lot. Additional Lots 15 & 17 are available for $29,900 each. Frank.

SOLD! SOLD!

RESIDENTIAL LOT ON BERRY AVENUE IN TOWN. All utilities available. $29,900 Frank.

AMLAJACK 255.5+/- ACRES WITH HALF MILE FRONTAGE ON I-85 between 2 industrial parks. $17,890,600. Frank.

COMMERCIAL

NEW POPLAR ROAD COMMERCIAL LISTING. 24+/- ACRES zoned C-6 (multiple uses) commercial. Water and sewer already in place. $7,000,000. Will subdivide. Frank/Chip.

COMMERCIAL FOR LEASE

FOR LEASE – 3,200 s/f upstairs office space - $750 per month (Owner/Agent) Frank.

.8 ACRES, VACANT LOT IN DEVELOPED SUBDIVISION. Subject to Covenants and Restrictions of record. Nicely wooded lot. Possible basement lot. Lot 15 has a 15’ easement along western boundary for access to detention pond. Additional Lots 16 & 17 are available for $29,900 each. Frank. LEASED

CHOICE 10.13 ACRES ZONED COMMERCIAL (C-2) ON HWY 74 (SENOIA ROAD). Adjoins Georgia World of Beverages. 579’ frontage on Hwy 74 and additional frontage on Landrum Road (385’+/-). $3,500,000. Frank