INSPECTIONS

Nobody wants to buy a house and find out later that there are hidden flaws – particularly defects that are expensive to repair. As any good Realtor® will tell you, the only way to avoid these unexpected bombshells is to hire a qualified and impartial professional home inspector to examine the home, from top to bottom, and provide a written report on the status of his or her review. Your real estate agent should be able to provide a list of reputable and experienced home inspectors.

SUCH AN INSPECTION IS CRITICAL AND INCLUDES A REVIEW OF:

n Structural Elements n Heating/Air-Conditioning and Other Systems n All Plumbing and Electrical Wiring n Roof n Attic

TIPS: n Walls n Ceilings n Floors n Windows n Doors n Built-in Appliances n Foundation n Exterior n Insects/Rodents n Pool/Spa (if applicable) n Buyers should attend the inspections and examine the property’s mechanics and structure. n Ask questions and learn more about your potential investment than is possible with an informal walk-through n Don’t neglect to have a separate inspection for termites which will be required by your lender (and should be done even if yours is a cash purchase). n No home is perfect! Every home will have issues revealed by a home inspection. n New homes can also have defects, whether caused by oversight during construction or simple human error. n The home inspector will review his or her findings with you and alert you to any costly or potentially hazardous conditions.

All negotiations for repairs, agreed upon in writing, are completed during the option period. Buyers and sellers might agree to seller concessions in lieu of repairs - these concessions can be applied towards buyer closing costs and/or pre-paid items allowing for the buyer to handle repairs after closing.