Your Home Inspection

The AAR Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract is intended to be a binding contract: therefore, the importance of performing your own inspection of a home before you decide to purchase it cannot be understated. Remember that while this is only a precursor to the professional inspection that will soon follow, your personal inspection allows you to pinpoint first-hand any potential problem areas that could cause you to change your mind about whether or not you buy the house.

In general, you are looking for such details as: structural cracks; musty smells; rotting floorboards; roof leaks; peeling paint; cracked windows; broken appliances (including air conditioning and heating units); quality of tile, carpeting and other flooring material; and/or any aesthetic (such as floor plan convenience, landscaping, or general home maintenance). In particular, you will want to make note of any serious flaws which you will want to notify the professional home inspector.

Professional Home Inspection

The purchase contract gives you the right to make any inspections of the property/premises for defects of any kind. Buying a home without having it professionally inspected first is about as risky as engaging in a game of Russian roulette.

A professional inspection gives you more detailed information than an appraisal - information you need to make a wise decision. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:

1. Evaluate the physical condition (structure, construction, and mechanical systems)

2. Identify items that need to be repaired or replaced

3. Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure and finishes.

The inspection gives a detailed report on the condition of the structural components, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating, insulation and ventilation, air conditioning, and interiors.

It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer!

Buyer's Reasonable Disapproval

After any/all desired inspections have been performed, your Incredible Real Estate Agent may ask you to complete an AAR Buyer Inspection Notice and Seller's Response. You have three options on this form:

1. Premises Accepted - No Repairs Requested

2. Repairs Requested

3. Cancellation.

Remember, a professional home inspection report is not necessarily a "fix-it" list for the seller. However, if you determine repairs are deemed necessary, you and your Incredible Real Estate Agent should submit all reasonable disapproved items to the seller. The seller has the option to either repair those items or refuse to do so. If the seller refuses to do so, you may cancel the contract or proceed without any obligation on the part of the seller to make the repairs.

Your Incredible Real Estate Agent will be your greatest asset in handling all the negotiations for you in regard to reasonably disapproved items.