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Now on to the article. Home Auction Inspections.
Well, it is a sign of the times, but the real estate auction is a frequent event these days. At HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, we have a service that applies to the real estate auction.
Like a Home Inspector Review, where a Home Inspector looks/inspects a property in a manner similar to a Home Inspection but without taking pictures or notes or later writing a report, the Auction Inspection is done in a quick and specific manner to look for "critical" issues. The critical issues can be directed by the Client/Potential Buyer, but should include structural issues on the exterior, in the crawl space, basement or attic, moisture penetration and HVAC. If the client has other specific issues they can be accomodated, time permitting.
The critical issues have to be defined due to the limited time allowed for such an Inspection. Frequently the property is open for viewing or inspection only 2 hours before the auction begins. On a 5000 sqft house, 1.5 to 2 hours is a limited amount of time to look at the house. Another issue that comes into play is the number of people milling around the house. A lot of people can slow the inspection process down. Regardless, there is usually not enough time to look at all of the house as thoroughly as a normal Home Inspection. That is why the critical issues must be decided before the auction inspection begins.
The buyer(s) should be present during the Auction Inspection so the Inspector can brief them on any significant issues found. Time is important so it is best if the Inspector can brief the buyer periodically after major areas such as the exterior or crawl space is completed. Since the Inspector is not taking notes or pictures (because there is not enough time for this), it is important for the Inspector to be able to brief the buyer before a bid is entered.
To buy any house without a Home Inspection is risky business. But a house that is auctioned is sold "as is where is". There is usually no disclosure statement and no recourse if significant issues are found after the house is purchased. Better to know the status of the critical issues before you enter a bid than to buy it as is where is and wish later you had not!
Thank you,
Richard Acree
Comments in this blog posting are the copyrighted intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings. HABITEC is a residential (home) and commercial building inspection company serving Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, Dickson, Belle Meade, Columbia, Spring Hill and more! In addition to building inspections HABITEC offers Environmental Services for mold assessments, radon testing and water quality analysis. Additional information about HABITEC can be found on our website at http://habitecinspections.com, or call 615-376-2753.
Richard Acree is the author of the HABITEC Home and Building Inspections Blog and founder of the ActiveRain Group Tennessee Home and Building Inspectors. All are welcome to join and see more blogs like this one.
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