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Pre-Purchase
Buying a home is the single most expensive purchase most of
us will ever make. For a few hundred dollars you can use the
services of a home inspector to get a much better idea of the
homes physical condition than you would otherwise have known.
Most states require that the purchase and sales agreement have a
clause allowing you the right to have the home inspected to your
satisfaction or get a full refund of your deposit. Exercising
this right is definitely in your best interest. Large and costly
problems may be brought to your attention before you buy the
home, leaving you in a position to renegotiate the terms of the
sale or just walk away from the deal. You may prefer to have the
seller make repairs, or you may negotiate a price cut. The
choice is yours. You will be in a far more difficult position if
problems are discovered after the deal is closed. Just remember:
Buyer beware.
Pre-Sale
Before you put your house on the market, you may want to
seriously consider the benefits of having it inspected. Without
a doubt, this is the best time for a home inspection for all
involved. All too often, a home inspection is performed as a
final contingency of a sale with little time to absorb its
impact. Any reported deficiencies at this time of high emotional
stress can easily be blown out of proportion causing an over
reaction and possibly the death of the deal. People are far more
receptive to such deficiencies when they are disclosed to them
up front, perhaps while they are viewing the home for the first
time. The additional benefits to a seller are fewer
renegotiations, less surprises, a better selling price, less
likely litigation for improper disclosure and an increased
chance that a deal will close. Having a pre-sale inspection
given to a buyer does not remove the buyer's responsibility to
perform their own due diligence and have their own inspection of
the property. |