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House inspection could be used by prospective home buyers to force owner-sellers to spend more money for unreasonable house repairs, so if you are a homeowner planning to sell your home, make sure that the home inspection portion of the purchase contract signed by the buyer is fair towards you and your buyer and that it complies with your state regulations.

According to a real estate lawyer, owner-sellers should also see to it that the term whole-house inspection is not used in the contract. The correct term should be inspection of major components because, he said, all parts of the house cannot be possibly inspected in a regular home inspection. There are also parts and systems of the house that are not inspected in regular inspections, as described in the codes of conduct of national home inspection associations.

The case of a recent house inspection in northeastern Pennsylvania illustrates the challenges faced by owner-sellers after home inspections. In this case, the buyer asked for a whole-house inspection, which the seller granted. The buyer’s real estate agent later gave a response, with a request that a certified heating contractor inspect the furnace further.
The seller agreed and the leaking problem was repaired, with the repair receipts given to the buyer’s realtor.

But three days before closing, the buyer hired another heating contractor to make a walk-through house inspection and demanded another $450 to fix further the furnace. Now, the owner-seller is upset that the buyer seemed to be taking advantage of her desire to sell her house and her willingness to overlook standard practices about purchase contracts and closing.

Real estate lawyers said that in most states, once the home inspection results have been accepted by the buyer, the contract to purchase or contract to sell can already be carried out. They explain that the seller can refuse the requested repair request and still make the buyer obliged to comply with the provisions of the purchase agreement.

In Indiana, the home inspection and the response to the inspection should be done within 15 days of the signing of the purchase agreement.

Lawyers also explained that after the requested repairs have been accomplished by professionals, buyers can ask for reinspection of the repaired parts or systems to make sure they are properly repaired, but they can no longer add other repair requests to the original list of requested repairs. They said further that a potential buyer cannot use a third-party to conduct another house inspection long after the original inspection and response have been accomplished.

Home Inspection

When you are going to sell your house, do not get complacent just because your house bares well. You may actually have problems beneath it all. Familiarize yourself with these four problems and repair these before attempting to sell the house in order to pass the home inspection process.

Structural damages
Obvious signs of house problems are a slumping roof, cracks in walls or foundations, and uneven floors. Even though these are several conditions that are costly to mend, it is worth it to fix those that only need cosmetic repairs. For roof damages, be sure that your downspouts and gutters are cleaned since these will be checked by the home inspector. He will also find out the situation of the roofing material, regardless if there is no indication of trouble, like water stains. The flashing surrounding the chimney, bricks and mortar will be checked as well for leaks. Have it fixed if you know you have a problem with the flashing.

Plumbing and utilities check
If you have old pipes, you can install new fixtures to divert attention from your old plumbing. Home inspectors check for corroded pipes through examining the water pressure and will try out appliances like the washing machine and dishwashers. For your electrical system, be sure that all sockets are working. The circuit breakers, electrical panels and wiring must all meet existing code standards. Upgrade to a 200-amp service if you do not have one. Also, do not forget to check that your air-conditioning and heating systems are all in working order.

Odor and leaks
If your house smells strange, feels damp, or has mold or mildew, check if there is too much moisture in your basement. Has the floor joists, foundation or rafters been damaged by drainage problems? If the culprit is merely poor ventilation, then you just need a humidifier. Leaky windows and doors need weather stripping, so be sure to fix it before several leaks trigger damage which may be more difficult to fix.

Environmental anxieties
If you think you may have environmental contaminants, it is a good idea to shoulder your own house inspection even before a potential buyer plans for one. A specialized inspection might be needed, for example, if there is suspicion of radon gas present in your house. Look out for lead-based paint, lead or other pollutants in the water, and asbestos.

In case you have concerns about the present condition of your house, it might be a good idea to organize your own home inspection first before selling it to a buyer. Fixing any flaws will hasten a sale and increase your price. Potential buyers must be informed of any defects that you decide not to fix. Usually, the inspection of buyers only request for minor repairs.

Home Inspection

The service of a home inspection professional is absolutely necessary for potential buyers of real property. If you think you can do this job on your own, you are mistaken. Keep in mind that sellers might cover up flaws just so they can close a deal. It takes specialized knowledge to detect structural flaws and to determine problems which may possibly arise.

The Risks and Why You Need It

Buying property involves shelling out thousands of dollars of your valuable money. It is a long term investment and it is a sale that requires careful thought and consideration. It is inevitable that the inexperienced and untrained eye will fail to see the numerous potential hazards that can arise. Possible flaws include structural weaknesses, hazardous wiring, chemical leaks, and roof, plumbing and electrical problems. These are very real dangers to you and your family’s health and safety.

If you make the error of buying a faulty house, you will be forced to spend a ton on home repairs, not to mention all the hassle and inconvenience you would have to go through. In the long run, conducting a thorough inspection will undeniably save you money and spare you such a costly mistake.

But more than the money saved, the most important benefit would be the assurance of a safe home to live in. Chemical, fire, and biological hazards are life threatening and dangerous to you and your family, yet these are very difficult to spot. Thus it is well worth the money to get a professional home inspection.

The Main Thing

A lot of things could go wrong with buying a house, seeing as you and the seller has conflicting interests. It is in the interest of the seller to get the house appraised at the highest value possible, and to achieve this they may leave buyers in the dark about serious problems the house may suffer from. It is rare to find a perfect, spotless house. Even brand new houses may have hidden defects.

Conducting a complete home inspection arms you with the information you need to negotiate the best price for the property.

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