It is extremely commonplace for people to perform a professional inspection of the premises before purchasing real estate. This process can be somewhat costly, but can save a great deal of time, money, and trouble in the long run. But why exactly is it so important to have a property inspected before you decide to buy it?
What is a Home Inspection?
In simple terms, a home inspection is simply when a professional with appropriate certifications comes to examine a home for potential defects. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the property is compliant with local building codes, and to ensure there are no defects that may need to be repaired. Often, real estate contracts will have specific contingencies to ensure a property is professionally inspected before the real estate deal can go through.
What Might Be Found in a Home Inspection?
There are a number of potential issues that may be found in a home inspection. Some of these may include, but are not limited to:
- Structural damage, such as from a fire or flood
- The presence of mold or mildew
- Infestations of insects or rodents
- Old or damaged utilities
- Improper wiring or electrical systems
- Toxic building materials, such as lead or asbestos
- Improper renovations or additions
- Problems with drainage or ventilation
What Are the Dangers of Not Inspecting a Property?
If you fail to properly inspect a property before buying it, you are placing yourself at risk of purchasing a property with significant defects. Often, these defects can be difficult and expensive to fix, and if you do not catch them before you agree to buy the property, you may be entirely responsible for the costs involved. In the most extreme circumstances, these defects can even potentially pose a risk to your health, resulting in illness or injury.
What Should You Do?
In order to protect yourself against potential problems that may arise during your real estate transaction, you should make sure to speak to a lawyer with experience handling real estate law. They can ensure your real estate contract requires a home inspection and help protect you against other issues that may arise. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work on your behalf.
For more than 50 years, the New York lawyers at Elovich and Adell have represented clients like you in real estate cases. Our attorneys, conveniently located in Long Beach, handle personal injury, real estate, commercial transactions, criminal defense, and labor and employment claims all across New York State. For a consultation, please call us at 516-432-6263 or visit our contact page for more information.
