Buyers: If you have a home under contract, and closing was scheduled sometime in the near future, you or your agent should be driving by that house ( with a digital camera in hand) as soon as possible after the hurricane. Make arrangements to check inside the house as well. Are trees down? Shingles missing? Siding missing? And standing water inside or out? Are chimneys or vent pipes leaning? Basically, just look for any type of damage. Inside, feel the carpets below the windows, and check for water stains on ceilings. I've already heard from people where the force of wind drove rain through windows, and it ran down the walls inside of their house and soaked their carpets.
Sellers: You should do the same. Cooperate and get any hurricane damage repaired properly by a licensed contractor. Don't hire some guy going door to door asking if you need trees or limbs removed from your roof or yard, or shingles replaced on your roof. Take before and after pictures, and get receipts.
George Mason mortgage is reporting that they are moving forward with all purchase closings, but they are requiring an affidavit signed by the borrower stating there was no damage to the property. Are you going to sign an affidavit without inspecting the property?
On refi's George Mason is requiring an inspection prior to settlement. They are paying for the inspection. Any appraisals completed before 10/30/2012 will require a drive by inspection with photos.
Check with your mortgage company and ask if they are requiring any inspections or documentaion that no damage was done to the home you are buying.
Work together to get those homes to closing ( on schedule) if at all possible!
Jeff Pearl / REALTOR / Lic in VA
Re/max Distinctive - Reston VA
703-727-4876
myhomesdb.com/jeffpearl
Equal Housing Opportunity Provider
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