Home Inspection?
What Really Matters!
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is
supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect.
You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often
includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports,
and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this
combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes
the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your home inspection will be maintenance
recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are
nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four
categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for
example.
3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure
the home.
4. Safety hazards, such as an exposed live buss bar at the electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious
problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property
(especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects
uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no
obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect.
Keep things in perspective. Don't kill your deal over things that don't
matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred
maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or
nit-picky items.
The above is an excerpt from Sell Your Home For More by Nick Gromicko.
What Really Matters!
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is
supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect.
You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often
includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports,
and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this
combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes
the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your home inspection will be maintenance
recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are
nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four
categories:
1. Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
2. Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for
example.
3. Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure
the home.
4. Safety hazards, such as an exposed live buss bar at the electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious
problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property
(especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects
uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no
obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect.
Keep things in perspective. Don't kill your deal over things that don't
matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred
maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure, or
nit-picky items.
The above is an excerpt from Sell Your Home For More by Nick Gromicko.
Capital District Home Inspectors
Phone 518-526-5167 | Fax 518-581-8328 Contact by e-mail
Allen Tanner, Owner NY State Certified Licence # -16000014833 |
Copyright © by Tanner Contractors, Co. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Tanner Contractors, Co. is strictly prohibited |
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