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Do I have to fix everything on the report?
Generally,
inspectors and agents do not view a third-party
inspection report as a fix-it list. It’s
basically intended to provide the buyer with
specific information on the home, its components
and its condition. Many of the items found in a
report are typical for the age and area in which
a home is located. It is not uncommon for
inspectors to note cracks in the driveways,
walkways and patio areas, as well as cracks in
stucco or siding. The majority of homes will
have some types of cracks. An inspector may note
that these are typical or not unusual, that they
should be monitored or maintenance performed,
and at other times he may point out that they
are an indication of a problem or issue.
Issues concerning
safety are generally pointed out and recommended
that they be corrected. The inspector does not
say who should correct these issues, only that
they need to be corrected.
Should certain
issues in the report be of concern to the buyer,
then these are normally negotiated or discussed
between the buyer and seller through their
agents.
How long does an
inspection take ?
Inspection times vary from inspector to
inspector. Many factors affect the length of
time an inspection takes; the size and condition
of the home; whether vacant or furnished; if the
inspector prints a report on site; if the
inspector walks around with the buyer going over
the report; and if the buyer has a lot of
questions for the inspector. A recent survey of
top inspectors revealed that inspection times
are increasing. Now many say they will budget
2 to 3 ½ hours for an average home.
Rest easy, a long inspection or long report is
not necessarily a bad sign. It may merely be
that the inspector is very detailed oriented.
Thorough reports, when properly presented, help
protect sellers from disclosure issues down the
road and help buyers feel more comfortable and
knowledgeable about the home they’re buying.
Should I be
present at the buyers home inspection?
Discuss this with your agent. Many agents will
recommend that you vacate the home during the
inspection process. They suggest that you run
errands, visit friends or go shopping. Oh yes,
take the kids and dogs as well. This gives the
buyer an opportunity to view their new
home, think about where their furniture
will go, and mentally start moving in. When the
seller is present, buyers are often
uncomfortable and feel like they must chitchat
with the seller, rather than walk around,
falling in love with the home. As one top
agents but it "don't you try selling the house,
let the house sell itself".
When at home, be friendly and relax, let the
buyers know that it is okay for them to mill
about the home at their leisure. Let them walk
around on their own.
Does
the inspector inspect everything ?
Generally, an inspector has a prescribed format
and guidelines which he follows. These are
usually established by a professional
organization. These guidelines establish what
an inspector will check or examine, what
components will be identified and what is
excluded from the inspection. Basically they
establish the scope of the inspection. The
bottom line is that the inspector does not check
everything.
If a buyer has a
home inspection, is it still necessary for the
seller to make full disclosure about known
defects or issues.
Yes, a "third-party inspection" does not release
sellers from the requirement of full
disclosure. At times, some things that should
be disclosed will not be visible or known to the
inspector or may be outside the scope of the
inspection. |
