{"id":52507,"date":"2016-04-21T08:21:21","date_gmt":"2016-04-21T08:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/?p=3562"},"modified":"2016-04-21T08:21:21","modified_gmt":"2016-04-21T08:21:21","slug":"home-inspection-tips-for-buyers-who-fixes-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/home-inspection-tips-for-buyers-who-fixes-what\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Inspection Tips for Buyers: Who Fixes What?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When contracting for the purchase of a home, the contract can include a home inspection as a contingency. A home inspection gives the buyer time and opportunity to inspect the home before closing. When the inspection finds that, there are material defects you will have the chance to negotiate their repair with the seller. .Following are home inspection tips for buyers<\/a> about who fixes what when inspections turn up defects that were not previously disclosed to you.<\/p>\n

Can you attend your inspection?<\/b><\/p>\n

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Source: commons.wikimedia.org<\/em><\/div>\n

Of course, you can, you\u2019re paying for it, and reputable inspectors will want you to be there. This will give you a chance to get to know the home intimately and see things that weren\u2019t evident on your viewing prior to your contract. You may find issues with the home that were undisclosed on the \u201csellers disclosure statement\u201d that may require negotiation about their repair, due to their cost.<\/p>\n

Items with material value, such as heating and air systems, appliances, faulty electrical\u00a0or plumbing systems, should all be functioning properly and in good repair when you are purchasing a home. Windows and doors should be tight and free of air infiltration when closed. Foundation cracks, from settling are common but gaping gaps in the foundation can be the sign of a big problem with the home. Water settling in the yard or a seeping septic system drain field are red flags. If the inspector finds a problem with any of the above items or anything else it will be shown to you when they find it.<\/p>\n

Do you have your inspection report?<\/b><\/p>\n

Once the inspection is complete, the home inspector will produce a report. This can take a few days, but make sure you get it as soon as possible and go over it carefully with the home inspector because the clock is ticking. Although they can\u2019t tell you how to proceed, they can tell you if there are defects that may cost you thousands of dollars in the near future. They may find a house that is in perfect order but if they don\u2019t you will have what you need to negotiate repairs with the seller.<\/p>\n

How do you proceed if you find defects?<\/b><\/p>\n

A walk through on a new home is one thing. One would expect everything to be in order and if not, they would expect that it be corrected before closing. When buying a used home, even one that has been occupied for a short period, there will be cosmetic defects. What you want to find in a home inspection are material defects. Ones that will be costly to repair, which can be a financial undertaking that may be difficult since you\u2019ve just put down thousands of dollars for the homes purchase.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t nitpick when going over the inspection report and focus on material defects not those that are cosmetic. If you don\u2019t like the color of a room, it\u2019s easily remedied. However issues with electrical, plumbing, air penetration, leaky roofs, cracked foundations, heating and air systems may require professional attention that can be very costly if the defect is extensive. These are all issues you should be willing to dispute because they reduce the immediate value of the home and a willing seller will need to decide how to proceed if you find major defects.<\/p>\n

So, who fixes what?<\/b><\/p>\n

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Source: flickr.com<\/em><\/div>\n

After attending the home inspection and going over the inspection report, you can address the issues with the seller. Four things can happen at this point.<\/p>\n