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, a 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 inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life
expectancies for various systems and components, and minor imperfections. These
are useful to know about.
However, the issues that really matter will fall into four
categories: major defects.
An example of this would be a structural failure; things
that lead to major defects, such as a small roof-flashing leak, for example;
things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy, or insure the
home; and safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electrical
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. Do not
kill your deal over things that do not matter.
It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred
maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller’s disclosure, or nit-picky
items.
