Almaz Habteslassie, Executive Club Award Winner, One of the best Habesha Real Estate Agents in Washington, DC area, VA, MD & DMV area
Home Buyers are understandably ecstatic when a seller accepts their offer, and they’re eager to move forward with the purchase. But before getting to the closing table, buyers will have a home inspection and a home appraisal.
A home inspection isn’t required, but recommended. If a buyer agrees to an inspection, they can choose a certified home inspector to conduct a thorough examination of the property and check for any problems or hidden defects with the electrical, plumbing, appliances, HVAC system, roof, foundation, etc.
A home inspection is a non-invasive, yet thorough examination of a property. The process—which takes longer than a home appraisal—varies depending on the size of the property. Typically, these inspections take anywhere from two to four hours.
The Home buyers may have secular and personal obligations, but it’s important for them to be present during the home inspection so they can ensure they’re getting their money’s worth. Buyers pay for these inspections out of their own funds, which can cost between $300 and $500. Therefore, an inspector shouldn’t rush through the process or only spend an hour inspecting a home that requires three hours to complete. By being present, buyers & ther\ir real estate agent can shadow the inspector.
One benefit of being present during a home inspection is the opportunity to hear explanations directly from the inspector’s mouth. After the inspection, the inspector writes a detailed report about his findings. But sometimes, these reports can make issues seem more significant than they actually are. However, if a the home buyer is present and talks to the inspector, the inspector can ease & explain some of his concerns.
Being present during a home inspection also gives buyers the chance to ask the inspector questions. Inspectors are available after the appointment to answer any questions a buyer might have, but there is no better time than during the inspection for buyers to express their concerns. For example, buyers may have questions about estimated life spans for certain appliances. Of course, inspectors can't guarantee how long a system in the home will last, but they can offer a professional recommendation. This helps buyers discern whether to ask the home seller to replace certain items.
Shadowing a home inspector also gives a buyer the opportunity to become familiar with the home. If he follows the inspector throughout the property, he'll learn the location of shut-off valves, the location of the electrical panel, as well as observe other details about the house with his own eyes. Home inspectors look inside cabinets, pull appliances from the wall, and inspect the attic and basement. Most prospective buyers don’t conduct a detailed examination of properties before putting in their offers, so it’s easy to overlook certain issues with a home. Upon taking a closer look at a property, buyers can then decide whether this is the right home for them.
Home inspectors are certified and trained, but they’re still humans, and sometimes they can overlook issues in a home. A property may have a crack in the wall that the inspector didn’t notice, or if a room has a slightly different color paint in one section of the ceiling, a buyer might feel the homeowner is hiding a water leak or other damage. Since buyers provide a second pair of eyes, encourage their presence during the inspection, and encourage them to speak up if they want the home inspector to take a closer look at a particular area of the home.
Buying a home is a big commitment, and buyers need to understand that once they sign the mortgage paperwork and take possession of the home, they become responsible for any repairs and maintenance. Now’s the time to rise their concerns.
If you’ve been searching for your dream home, there’s nothing like the relief of finally being under contract. Now the only thing standing between you and your perfect place is the home inspection. And frankly, you’re a little nervous. What if it flunks the test?
Whether or not your new home gets a passing grade is up to you—not the home inspector—because you’re the one holding the purse strings. So what are some inspection issues that should make you think twice? Here are five signs your dream home may be more of a curse than a blessing.
With today’s families using more gadgets than ever, it’s important to ensure your home’s electrical system isn’t past its prime. An upgrade may be due if your home inspector finds overloaded outlets or a panel that’s wired with too many circuits. Pay close attention to aluminum wiring if it shows up on your home inspection report. It was used between 1965 and the mid-1970s in place of copper, and it poses a dangerous fire hazard due to the potential of overheating at connections.
Every home experiences some degree of settling. A qualified home inspector can tell you when a seemingly minor crack spells major trouble. Watch out for bulging or bowing foundation walls, which is a sign of structural weakness that can be expensive to repair.
If your new home comes with a septic tank, make sure trouble isn’t bubbling below the surface. A septic tank that fails can cost thousands of dollars to replace. That’s a stinky way to start life in your new home! Foul odors, slow or gurgling drains, and standing water are common symptoms of a septic tank that needs TLC.
Water is often called the source of life, but it can wreak havoc when it creeps into places it shouldn’t. Your home inspector should investigate any water stains to determine if there’s an active leak and to check for the presence of mold. A brown spot on the ceiling, for instance, may indicate a faulty roof, while stains on basement walls can clue you in to drainage issues—and neither are a cheap fix.
A home plagued by mold isn’t just gross—it can affect your health. You can typically clean up areas of mold that cover less than 10 square feet on your own without breaking the bank. But extensive growth requires professional help. The cost of removing mold from crawl spaces, walls and ducts can easily be thousands of dollars, depending on the scope of the damage.
Just because your home inspector uncovers an issue doesn’t guarantee the seller will fix it. Ultimately, you decide whether to walk away or negotiate with the seller, and a lot of that depends on your budget and willingness to take on a major home improvement project.
An Experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the findings and set priorities for moving forward.
Work with well experience real estate agent who has full knowledge & skill to help you from start to closing.
Contact Almaz Habteslassie, Executive Club Award Winner Habesha Realtor in MD, VA, Dc & DMV area at 202-997-2402 or email at almazrealtor@gmail.com
Here are 17 things that as a REALTOR® promise to do for you.
1. Pledge to put the interests of buyers and sellers ahead of their own and to treat all parties honestly.
2. Refrain from exaggerating, misrepresenting or concealing material facts about a property; and is obligated to investigate and disclose when situations reasonably warrant.
3. Cooperate with other brokers/agents when it's in the best interests of the client to do so.
4. Disclose if they represent family members who own or are about to buy real estate, or if they themselves are a principal in a real estate transaction, that they are licensed to sell real estate.
5. Avoid providing professional services in a transaction where the agent has a present or contemplated interest without disclosing that interest.
6. Not collect any commissions without the seller's knowledge nor accept fees from a third party without the seller's express consent.
7. Refuse fees from more than one party without all parties' informed consent.
8. Not co-mingle client funds with the agent's own.
9. Attempt to ensure that all written documents are easy to understand and will give everybody a copy of what they sign.
10. Not discriminate in any fashion for any reason on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
11. Be competent, to conform to standards of practice and to refuse to provide services for which they are unqualified.
12. Engage in truth in advertising and marketing.
13. Not practice law unless the agent is a lawyer.
14. Cooperate if charges are brought against them and present all evidence requested.
15. Agree to not bad mouth competition and agree not to file unfounded ethics complaints.
16. Not solicit another REALTOR'S® client nor interfere in a contractual relationship.
17. Submit to arbitration to settle matters and not seek legal remedies in the judicial