Why a Buyer Needs a Home Inspection
A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to:
- valuate the physical condition: structure, construction, and mechanical systems;
- dentify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and
- stimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes.
Appraisals are Different from Home Inspections
An appraisal is different from a home inspection. Appraisals are for lenders; home inspections are for buyers. An appraisal is required to:
- stimate the market value of a house;
- ake sure that the house meets FHA minimum property standards/requirements; and
- ake sure that the house is marketable.
FHA Does Not Guarantee the Value or Condition of your Potential New Home
If you find problems with your new home after closing, FHA can not give or lend you money for repairs, and FHA can not buy the home back from you. |
Radon Gas Testing
The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General of the United States have recommended that all houses should be tested for radon. For more information on radon testing, call the toll-free National Radon Information Line at 1-800-SOS-Radon or 1-800-767-7236. As with a home inspection, if you decide to test for radon, you may do so before signing your contract, or you may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states the sale of the home depends on your satisfaction with the results of the radon test.
Be an Informed Buyer
It is your responsibility to be an informed buyer. Be sure that what you buy is satisfactory in every respect. You have the right to carefully examine your potential new home with a qualified home inspector. You may arrange to do so before signing your contract, or may do so after signing the contract as long as your contract states that the sale of the home depends on the inspection.
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