The Greg Jansen Team Real Estate Forum by The Greg Jansen Team

Inspections: Understanding Your Options Could Save You Thou$ands! Part 4

Things to Remember About Inspections: A long discussion could be made regarding the merits of either using one “General Inspector” or using a long list of specialized inspectors or a combination of the two. I’ll instead just make a few comments to spark your thought as you consider how you would like to proceed with the inspection process. Remember! All inspectors are human, so on occasion they miss things. You will become more “intimate” with your home over the years you live there than the inspector will in the few hours he’s there. Expect to run into a few minor items over time that he missed! Should they miss something, most general home inspectors limit their accountability to the cost of the inspection. Thank you very much! General Inspectors are GENERAL Inspectors! Most general home inspectors do not inspect specific components such as heating and air conditioning as thoroughly as a technician hired from that ..(read more)

Inspections: Understanding Your Options Could Save You Thou$ands! Part 3

Adverse Conditions that Might not be Covered by the Contract and How to protect yourself: You should be aware that the language of the contract excludes certain items and conditions commonly found in homes that might adversely affect the condition, costs, or future enjoyment of the home you are purchasing. Be aware of these things as you view homes. A partial list of things that are not covered and thus bear further consideration depending on the age of the home you purchase are: o Certain Roof Conditions: The contract only dictates that the roof be free of leaks. A roof can be near the end of its life yet not require replacement per the contract. Even if there are leaks the seller could elect to repair a worn out roof instead of replace it. o Double pain glass that has lost its seal. o Appliances that are near the end of their useful life. o Old heating and air conditioning ..(read more)

Inspections: Understanding Your Options Could Save You Thou$ands! Part 2

What Should You Inspect? While the contract has a partial list of areas commonly inspected in a typical real estate transaction, you have the right to inspect for any conditions that you may be concerned about. If any special situations or health conditions such as allergies require special or unusual inspections, it may be wise to add special language to the contract to cover those conditions as covered in paragraph VI below. We recommend the following inspections if applicable: General Home Inspection Lead based paint Radon gas Mold Stucco Fireplace/chimney Well water quality Septic system operation Infestation Inspection Moisture Roof HVAC Survey Electrical Environmental Septic Well Water Asbestos Registered Sex Offender Others as needed

Inspections: Understanding Your Options Could Save You Thou$ands! Part 1

What Does the Inspection Cover? The home inspection and the negotiations surrounding it is one of the most critical parts of the real estate transaction and a reasonable understanding of the process can save the buyer from unwanted costs and surprises both before and after closing. The Contract of Sale commonly used in the Greenville area gives the purchaser the “right and responsibility” to conduct home inspections but also attempts to create a fair groundwork for negotiating repairs and conveying the property from the seller to buyer. We highly recommend that you carefully read the paragraphs covering the home inspections and make sure you understand what repairs are and are not covered by the inspections and repair language in the contract. If you have any questions regarding that information please feel free to ask us or a local real estate attorney for clarification.