Real Estate Blog - Buyers: Should You Save Your Cash for Furniture OR Should You Purchase an Inspection?

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Buyers: Should You Save Your Cash for Furniture OR Should You Purchase an Inspection?

Written by:
Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 919.454.8864
Email: darleen@darleenmc.com

Dear Buyer:

You may be wondering if you should actually spend your money for the home inspection that your real estate agent advises you to have - OR save it for the furniture and flat screen television?

As a REALTOR®, I advise all of my clients to get a home inspection, even for new construction. Why? You may ask? Well...

There are so many things that can be wrong with a home that an licensed inspector may be able to find, such as:

Building code violations.
The builder putting in the wrong size heating and air conditioning unit for the property.
Hot water flowing into the toilet - rather than the cold water that should be flowing there. (YES, it does happen more often than you'd guess!).
Crawl space problems, like moisture, which can cause problems inside the home with floors.
Gaps in vinyl siding, which could allow water to penetrate the inside of the home.
Damage or "popped" shingles.
Missing flashing.
And the list goes on...and...on...

Having new furniture is so wonderful. However, having closing on your own home - and having the potential for a tax write-off is even better! See the IRS publication, "Home Mortgage Interest Deduction".

If you're seeking an outstanding REALTOR® who'll go the extra mile for you, you've located her! Call me today at: 919.454.8864.

Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 919.454.8864
Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Website: http://www.darleenmc.com/

Photo courtesy of Microsoft.com

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by those who are part of the ActiveRain community, including those providing comments relating to this blog, are their opinions and their alone - and do NOT reflect the opinions of Darleen McCullen and Keller Williams Realty. Darleen McCullen and Keller Williams Realty are not responsible for the accuracy (or lack thereof) or content provided by others.

Posted by Darleen McCullen, Broker-Raleigh, NC Real Estate on 02/28/2008 03:46 PM

Comments (8)

mortgage, interest, deduction, irs, raleigh, north carolina, first time buyer, 1st time buyer

This post has been included in North Carolina Information Wake County, NC Information Raleigh, NC Information

8 Comments on Buyers: Should You Save Your Cash for Furniture OR Should You Purchase an Inspection?

FEB

2008

By all means,sit on lawn furniture and get the inspection!

FEB

2008

Hi Darleen,

This is so true. Majority of my clients that purchase from new subdivision don't get an inspection. They have false sense of security becasue it is brand new. I advise them to do it before we close escrow. If they don't listen to me, I remind them again before their one year builder's warranty expires.

Catherine

Hi Darleen,

You KNOW I'm going say inspection! LOL! Many times a home inspection costs much less than the price of a new sofa. When it comes to deciding to have a home inspected, whether the home is new or new to you, we like to ask the question, "Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?"

A lender friend of ours told us a story about one of her clients who thought a home inspection was a waste of money. Instead of paying a couple hundred dollars to have his home inspected, he spent a couple thousand dollars on a brand new bedroom suit and put it in his upstairs bedroom. The weight of the new furniture was too much for the floor to take. CRASH! Wonder what he thinks a home inspection might be worth now.

All the best,

Angela Roberts, Altamont Inspections LLC of Western NC - Inspecting Your Investment

Ricardo ~ I agree wholeheartedly!

Catherine ~ New does not necessarily equal perfect. Great idea to remind clients to at least have an inspection before the builder's warranty expires.

Edgar ~ Oh my goodness. The bed fell through the floor?? I guess the guy wished he would've had that home inspection when his upstairs bedroom furniture ended up on the first floor.

MAR

2008

Darleen! Look forward to seeing you tonight! Home Inspections are CRITICAL! I just had someone tell me they thought that's what the APPRAISER DID!

Darleen -- It was so nice meeting you tonight! The home inspection is a no-brainer! It's money well-spent, and I can't imagine why a buyer would not want the peace of mind a couple hundred bucks will give them. The new furniture can come later, in a house that you *know* is worth putting new furniture in!

MAR

2008

Eleanor ~ I had a wonderful time at the AR gathering! Thanks so much for putting it together. And yes, inspections are critical! And I will keep blogging about it until everyone gets that they need a home inspection.

Dawn~ It was a pleasure meeting you, as well. Yes, it is money well-spent, and I wish that home inspections were required - just like hazard insurance is required if a person is obtaining a mortgage. Hmmm...maybe this could be a blog topic.

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