Real estate home inspection: Buyer beware
Buyers must be very careful to check for minor defects in a home by themselves, as they may not be protected if they find out about it later.
The spring real estate market is soon to be in full swing, bringing a number of new properties up for sale and giving prospective home buyers even more to choose from. An extremely important part of the process of finding a home is to conduct a thorough home inspection. There are many possible defects that can be easily hidden during a visit that may only become visible once the previous owners move out.
From checking under carpets and appliances on the counter to testing all windows to ensure they open, there are many simple checks a prospective buyer can perform. In general, sellers are not legally obligated to disclose any defects that are visible to buyers. However, the seller cannot attempt to actively disguise or conceal these defects. These principles make it difficult to make a legal case after the fact, therefore making it all the more important to perform due diligence before making an offer on any property. To find a reputable home inspector, ask for referrals from your real estate agent or Mortgage Broker.