Home Inspections

Did you know that over 90% of home buyers

have a home inspection on the home they plan to buy? 

As a seller, what should you do to be prepared? 

Here are some great tips for preparing for the inspection on your home!

For more information on how to see your property for TOP DOLLAR FASTER...

call  (207)784-3800 or e-mail brenda@fontaineteam.com. 

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT HOME INSPECTIONS?

We all know that building inspections are common

 in the real estate world...

Here's a few things you should know before your inspection

Buyers

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Uncover problems that are not obvious to the untrained eye
• Allows you the opportunity to negotiate how the problems will be addressed
• Gives you the chance to ask questions about the property and it's systems
• Spending $300 now is better than finding out your new home may need a $3,000 repair next month
• You may find out some routine maintenance tips
• The inspector is an objective professional without a stake in the sale of the property
• A good inspection provides peace of mind

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?

• Home inspectors in Maine are not required to be licensed, although there are some organizations such as ASHI and MeCHIPS that set standards and expertise requirements from their members
• Home inspectors will NOT tell you the value of the home or advice on negotiating
• A house can not FAIL an inspection - an inspection just provides you with information about the current condition of the property
• You should be present for your inspection so you can ask questions as you go along
• Look for an inspector who provides a written report - there is a lot of information to absorb
• Ask what is included in the inspection (Radon, septic, mold, etc...are usually extra)

Sellers

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Avoid unexpected surprises when the buyer does their inspection
• Give you the chance to make needed repairs on your terms or disclose that some things are "as is"
• Gives you the chance to do regular maintenance suggested by inspector to prevent them from becoming buyer issues
• Providing a recent inspection to potential buyers may give them peace of mind

PREPARING FOR YOUR INSPECTION

• Clean your house - the buyers will most likely be there
• Clear access to your attic and basement or crawl space
• Leave keys to sheds, outbuildings and garages
• Make sure furnace, water heater, electrical panel, etc are accessible
• Make sure utilities are on and pilot lights lit if you are not living there
• Leave out any repair documents

If you would like more information about home inspections or inspectors,

give us a call at (207)784-3800 or click the link below to e-mail us

Home Inspections - Step #7

10 Steps to Buying A Home In Maine

Home Inspections - Step #7

In most cases, once you have found a home and make an offer to purchase it, you will want the professionals to check it out!

When you and your agent write the offer, you will specify which items you would like to inspect or test. Common inspections in Maine include a general building inspections, septic inspections, water tests and radon tests - but there are numerous other investigations that are available. You and your agent will decide what should be checked out on your chosen home.

• If your home does not have a septic inspection, you will probably skip the septic inspection.
• If the home has a well, your financing might require a water test.
• You may decide you are not worried about lead paint, but another buyer may have small children and a lead paint inspection might be important to them.
• What you decide to inspect will be decided by what is important to you.

Keep in mind, no house is perfect, but if an issue does arise...DON'T PANIC! You have options! You can try to negotiate having the seller do the needed repairs before you close, renegotiate the price or even walk away from the house. Just keep in mind, there are deadlines and time frames in your contract for resolving inspection issues, but your agent should keep you on track.



The bottom line is that spending a few hundred dollars before you close on a home could save you thousands later!





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