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Home Inspections
Full Disclosure
Before you begin advertising your property for sale, it's best to get
a professional home inspection. You want to make sure you know what you've
got before you try to sell it. In fact, if you neglect to mention any
problems your property might have to a buyer, you could face civil and
criminal action, or even recision of the sale.
Each state has different laws governing the disclosure of problems. Do
your research and make sure you've met all the requirements for your state.
Most states require the disclosure known defects that could affect the
value or salability of your home. Problems and defects include but are
not limited to: general condition of the home; seismic, geological, and
environmental hazards; physical defects (leaky roof); legal hinderances
(does the new bathroom conform to building codes); and structural pest
damage. Some states even require sellers to disclose the fact that a home
for sale is the site of previous meth lab or paranormal activity!
Why take a chance that a deal will fall through at the last minute because
the buyer discovers a defect or problem that you overlooked?
An inspection gives you the edge
A general home inspection lets you know what points a buyer may attempt
to negotiate. Getting a pre-sale inspection helps you address items that
need attention or improvement so you can make your home as marketable
as possible.
On the other hand, if your inspection report is clean, prospective buyers
will be reassured by the home's condition and you can use it as a sales
tool.
Without a pre-sale inspection, you may be shocked and surprised if a
buyer's inspection turns up expensive repairs that may delay or lose the
sale. At a cost of $200 to $500 a pre-sale home inspection is well worth
it.
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