Charlotte NC Homes For Sale, Houses for sale, houses, real estate, for sale

A fresh coat of paint or new carpeting may disguise serious flaws. That's why you want to make sure a professional inspects your new home.

It's important to have a qualified inspector completely inspect the home you are planning to buy. If you by-pass the inspection and later discover that your house needs repairs, you will ultimately spend more money in the long run.

Reasons why every property should be inspected prior to purchase:

Pre-owned houses: The older the house, the greater the likelihood you'll find defects in its mechanical and structural systems. Know what you are buying!

New Construction: Even a newly constructed, never-been-lived-in home may have problems the average home owner may not see. Having it thoroughly inspected is wise. Just because the building is new doesn't guarantee everything is perfect. Find out what your builder warranty covers and for how long.

Condo's/Multi-family: You need an inspection before buying a condominium and/or any multi-family property. Don't forget when you buy a condo, you're also buying into the entire building or complex in which your condo is located. As a co-owner of the entire community, you may be assessed your proportional share of the cost for corrective work required in common areas, such as the roof, heating system, or foundation.

In summation all properties should be inspected. Inspect detached residences, attached residences, single-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, condos, co-ops, townhouses, and anything else that has a foundation and a roof. Protect your investment by having it inspected.

A qualified professional home inspector surveys the foundation and structure, roof, exterior, major systems (electrical, heating, cooling and plumbing), and appliances that stay with the home.

Tour the house with the inspector, who will point out potential trouble areas, as well as what's in good working order. If the inspection does uncover some flaws, a seller is often willing to make repairs, but it may depend on market conditions.
Take notes as you tour. Get the inspection report in writing. This document will support or deny the repair contingency addendum to your agreement.

An inspection may take a few hours and cost a few hundred dollars, but it can save you time and headaches in the long run. Your real estate professional can recommend a professional inspector. We always recommend you get your own inspection with your own inspector.

When you list your home with Helen Adams Realty your agent will provide you with a copy of the offer to purchase to help familiarize you with the home buying process. You will notice there are two alternatives regarding inspections in the North Carolina offer to purchase.

Alternative one gives the buyer the option to conduct various inspections within an agreed upon time frame after the offer is fully negotiated and agreed upon. After the completion of these inspections the buyer and seller negotiate repairs to be made, if necessary. Under this alternative the buyer may request repairs of mechanical and/or structural nature, as defined in the offer to purchase. The sellers then have the option to make the requested repairs, attempt to negotiate the repairs or decline to make the repairs. Should the seller decide not to make the repairs, or attempt to negotiate the repairs, the buyer has the option to accept the home as is, or not purchase the home and have their earnest money returned.

Alternative two allows the buyer an option period during which time all inspections are to be completed. The time allowed and fee paid for this option are determined by the buyer and seller. At the end of this period the buyer decides to purchase or not purchase your home based on the results of the inspections. Should the buyer decide to purchase your home the transaction proceeds as normal and the option fee is deducted from the amount the buyer is required to bring to closing. Should the buyer decide not to purchase the home the seller retains the option fee. During the option period, the home will continue to be shown and marketed.

This is the most common inspection requested by the buyer. This inspection determines if the major mechanical and structural components of your home are performing their intended functions. This inspection should be performed by a professional, licensed inspector. It is recommended that the inspections take place as soon as possible in order to negotiate repairs early in the process.

A typical inspection will take two or more hours to complete. It includes roof, basement, plumbing, electrical systems and overall structural soundness. A detailed report is delivered to their buyer and their agent. From this report buyer and seller determine which repairs, if any will be made. The inspection also serves as an educational process, helping the buyer become familiar with their new home.

Radon is potentially cancer causing. Radioactive gas found in the earth's rock and soil. You cannot see radon, nor can you smell or taste it. It typically migrates through the ground to the air above and into your home through the following: cracks in concrete, suspended floors, gaps around pipes, cavities inside walls, or the water supply if you have a well. Nearly one out of fifteen homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Although radon is more common in some areas, any home may be at risk. The only way to know for sure is to test. A monitoring device is put in place. It is important during the test period to keep all windows and doors closed except for normal exit and entry. If the test reveals a radon level of 4 pico curies per liter or more (EPA standard) a second test will usually be conducted. If the level remains elevated, it will be necessary to take corrective measures. The type of remediation will depend on the design of the home and the cause of the problem.

A Wood Destroying Pest Insect Infestation Inspection is another of the commonly requested reports ordered by the buyer. It is frequently referred to as a termite inspection. The subterranean termite is the number one wood destroying pest in the

U.S.

and common to this area. Therefore the inspection is usually required by the lender and strongly recommended if not required. Additionally, this inspection also identifies the presence of certain types of beetles, carpenter ants and wood rot. All of these left unchecked can cause extensive structural damage. If an active infestation is discovered you will be responsible for having it treated. If any damage is discovered from either a past or current active infestation, the lender will most likely require further investigation by a licensed contractor or structural engineer. This is to determine if the damage has compromised the structural integrity of the house. This cost is usually borne by the seller.