| Our Newsletter: September, 2008
Inspections and Certificates
Before contracting to buy a home or property, you should hire a qualified home inspector to completely inspect your investment.
Whole-house inspections
Professional Home Inspections are designed to disclose both major and minor defects in the property that could materially affect its safety, livability or resale value.
The home sellers are not obligated in most states to disclose cosmetic problems, so you should cover those in your own walk through inspection.
Depending on the type of financing you choose, several home inspections may be required by the lending company and are conducted by their own inspectors.
After you do a surface inspection, have a reputable professional conduct a complete whole-house inspection. Get a recommendation for a certified professional home inspector from your agent, friends, relatives or neighbors.
Should you select a government loan (FHA or VA), there will be a further inspection at the appraisal stage, which amounts to a mini-inspection to uncover any obvious defects.
Do not rely on this as your only inspection and do not let your agent, family or friends or, especially, the seller dissuade you from having your own professional home inspector conduct a thorough inspection of the home.
In fact, any offer to purchase should be contingent upon a whole-house inspection with a detailed satisfactory report.
There usually is a time limit; typically 7 to 10 business days - for the inspection to take place.
Fees can range from $250 to $500 or more, depending on the services provided and are well worth the investment in your new home. You will not get stuck with major repairs that a professional home inspector would have found.
Termite, well, sewer and septic certificates
These are certifications that the sewage and water supply work properly and that the property is free of termites and/or other wood-destroying insects.
Make sure that you have the water tested for contaminates, whether you have a well or public water.
Mold and radon testing should always be included in your home inspection.
The nominal fee for Mold and or Radon inspection is well worth the expense. A few dollars spent initially, could save you thousands in remediation costs.
It is always a good idea to inspect for these conditions in the first place.
When your inspection and certifications are complete, you will be armed with important information for a smooth closing, which will provide you with peace of mind.
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