Coldwell Banker Countryside, Realtors

• Over 10 years of real estate marketing experience, and over 18 years property management experience.

• Virtual Tours, Complete Internet Marketing of all property listings which is the best way to market your property to not only local cliental, but potential buyers all over the world.

• Going the extra mile to find you the perfect property, or buyer for your property, No listing or client is too big or too small that they do not get our complete attention!

Introduction
Seller Responsibility
Who pays for the inspection and how much does it cost?
Is a Termite Inspection required?
Who picks the Termite Inspector?
Termite Inspection on condominiums or townhouses

Introduction
Although the buyer usually will have a home inspection done, I recommend to many clients that they go to the expense of having this done on their own. the reason being that you can take care of any problems and improve the marketability of your home. Another step that would improve the marketability of your home and protect you and the buyer is a Home Warranty.

Any home, new or used, will have minor problems. For instance, an electrical outlet may not work, there may be a leaking faucet or maybe roof, one of the appliances may not work. The purpose of a home inspection is to insure that the buyer is aware of all problems and potential problems with a home before they buy. A seller is required in most cases to make the necessary repairs to insure everything is in working order. The buyer or their realtor should schedule a home inspection immediately after acceptance of an offer to purchase. Basically the inspector will check the home from the roof to the foundation and everything in between. He will run the dishwasher, check the heating and cooling systems, check the plumbing, electrical, check for leaks, etc. He will give the buyer and/or the buyer’s agent a written report on the spot or fax or mail the report within 2 or 3 days. At the buyer’s or the buyer’s agent’s request the seller or seller’s agent will be given a copy of the report as well. The buyer may want or need to also have a separate roof inspection. If the buyer wants to have inspections for radon, lead-based paint, environmental hazards, etc. they will need to have these completed within the same period. Pest control inspections are generally not done until 30 days before closing, due to lender requirements. In many cases the home inspection company may be a licensed pest control company as well. It would not be prudent for a homebuyer to forego a home inspection before purchasing a home. Under Virginia law the seller must disclose (seller’s disclosure) to the buyer all known facts that materially and adversely affect the value of the property being sold and that are not readily observable. The key word is known. Your agent should have you fill out this disclosure before you put your home on the market. There are often things wrong with your home that you may not know about. The home inspection checks the interior and exterior of the home, goes up into the attic space, and goes in the crawl space, if there is one. The price of a home inspection will vary with the size of home and with the amenities of the home (crawlspace, pool, etc.). Expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $500.

Seller Responsibility
The inspection is done to determine whether any warranted items are in need of repair. Generally the seller warrants that the structure (including roofs and pool) are structurally sound and are watertight, and that the appliances, heating, cooling, mechanical, electrical, security, sprinkler, plumbing systems, dock and pool equipment, if any, are in working condition and will be maintained in working condition until closing. The seller does not warrant and is not required to repair cosmetic conditions (unless the cosmetic condition resulted from a defect in a warranted item). Cosmetic conditions means aesthetic imperfections that do not affect the working condition of the item, such as tears, worn spots and discoloration of items such as floor coverings, wallpapers, window treatments; nail holes, scratches, dents, scrapes, chips and caulking in bathroom ceilings, walls, flooring, tile, fixtures, mirrors; tears or holes in screens; and minor cracks in windows, driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, garage and patio floors. The seller is not obligated to bring any items into compliance with existing building code regulations (unless necessary to repair a warranted item). Codes are constantly changing, and vary from one municipality to another. If the item was installed properly under the code existing at the time of installation no more can be required. The inspector will point out items that he recommends bringing to current code, such as GFI (ground fault interrupt) outlets, but this is a buyer option, not a seller requirement. Note that most contracts provide that a licensed contractor or repair person must do any repairs.

Items commonly noted in an inspection:

	Electrical panel: a fuse that is double lugged.
	Faucet that will not turn completely off.
	Outlet that does not have power.