No Post-Move In Surprises!

When buying a home, most buyers will hire a home inspector to inspect their property for problems. When problems arise, sometimes repairs can be negotiated with the sellers or even repaired after move-in. A home inspection can help prevent surprises for buyers after they move in to their new home. There are, however, some issues that an inspection won't uncover. After all, an inspector can't see everything. In a recent article in Realtor Magazine, "Avoid Home Flaws Being Uncovered Too Late", information is given to help buyers avoid being surprised with problems after moving in.

Home inspections don’t always turn up everything wrong with a home, but unknowing buyers can quickly turn unsatisfied when they move into their new home if they find a bunch of problems.

"The purpose of a home inspection is to look for material defects of a property: things that are unsafe, not working, or that create a hazard," Kurt Salomon, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors, told the Chicago Tribune. However, most buyers "think we can see through walls and predict the future.”

Home inspections, for example, don’t specifically test for environmental safety hazards like lead, asbestos, or radon--which can be costly to remove. Inspectors also may overlook mold or vermin when its hidden behind floorboards.

As such, buyers also should be on the lookout for common hazards because pinpointing these before closing at least allows them the opportunity to ask sellers to help pay for removal costs.

Experts warn that buyers should take note of homes built prior to 1978, which usually contain lead and possibly asbestos in 9-by-9 floor tiles in basements.

To help avoid post-move-in surprises, buyers also might consider bringing in additional safety inspectors to evaluate the home, such as chimney inspectors, electricians, or experts for leading or radon testing.

To buy or sell Bixby, OK. area real estate, contact Kelly Howard, McGraw Realtors, 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com.