The home buying series, assemble a winning team in New Milford, CT, The Inspector (Part 3)
After you find the home of your dreams and your offer has been accepted, you will want to have the home inspected. Please understand that calling around to find the cheapest deals will most likely not give you what you need to get from these inspections. Remember, this is the single largest purchase you will make in your lifetime, and having a thorough inspection of your home is crucial to your peace of mind and happiness in the home. Ask your Realtor® for the names of inspectors that have good reputations, that will do what you need done, which is:
- Find issues with the home
- Explain how to deal with these issues
- Teach you about owning the home
- Make sure the home is safe
There are often more than one inspector involved in the process, especially here in the greater New Milford area as most of the homes have septic systems. The home inspector and the septic inspector. There may even be a separate pest inspector involved in the process. (Certain loan products will require a pest inspection, make sure your Realtor® knows what you will need.)
I tell my buyers that an inspection is not a negotiating tool, it is a guide to a used product (in the case of a resale). Of course if there are structural issues, if pests are found in the home, these things need to be fixed. Sometimes there will be credits issued for items that should be repaired. Telling the seller to pump the septic prior to the sale is certainly on the list, repairing any issues that the septic brought up are important also.
A good inspector will do a thorough inspection of the home, will give you a comprehensive report and answer all your questions or know where you can get those answers. Make sure you walk with your inspectors, and take notes! Although they will give you a report after, ask questions and write down what they say. They will tell you how to deal with certain things, they will explain what is normal wear and tear, what should be address immediately. If you don't understand something ask ask ask!
If you happen to be buying new construction, please do have the inspections performed. You still need to know that everything was done properly, that the water is potable, that there is no radon, etc.
What are the typical inspections you can expect to have performed?
- Home Inspection includes: house, from roof to basement, electrical systems, mechanicals, water tests, flow tests, radon, pest
- Septic Inspection is CRUCIAL, especially in an older home. The cost to replace a septic system can be staggering. This will be done by a separate company
- Pest Inspection may be done by a separate inspector, it depends on the situation.
I have a list of certified, qualified inspectors I will give to my clients. I trust them to do the job, to do it correctly, to take the time to explain to my buyers about the home and to point out what are potential "deal breakers" if they are not addressed by the seller. After all the reports are back I discuss with my clients what they want from the seller as a result of the findings. I then take this to the sellers agent and we move from there.
In my opinion the inspectors are really the unsung heroes of the home buying process!
If you are in the market to purchase a home in the Greater New Milford CT area and would like more information, please give me a call at 203.460.1775, or send me an emailat andrea@andreaswiedler.com. I will be happy to discuss your options and give you a list of names of PROVEN, WELL QUALIFIED mortgage professionals. And as we progress and find the home of your dreams I will provide you will a list of PROVEN, WELL QUALIFIED home and septic inspectors.
If you missed the first part of the series, check it out here!
Seond installment about the mortgage professional can be seen here.
For any first time home buyer thinking about purchasing their first home, don't wait any longer. You have just enough time to complete the purchase and claim your $8,000 tax credit. Don't be a "coulda shoulda woulda" person, instead be a "right place at the right time with the right team" type of person!
Homes for sale, greater New Milford CT.
Local area information, New Milford, Washington, Roxbury, Kent, Bridgewater, Sherman and Warren. Why you should be looking for a home here!
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