My husband and I recently signed a contract to purchase our first home. We now have seven days to get the home inspected. The current owners have not yet moved out of the house, so all their furniture, etc. is still in it. Will this keep the inspector from seeing things he has to see to accurately assess the home's condition?
Also, they will be leasing the house from us for two days after closing, so when we do the final walk through, their furniture will likely still be in the house. What happens if, for example, there is a huge stain under their bed that we didn't see until after they vacate the home? Or a hole in the wall behind the couch?
Has this ever happened to anyone? And if so, what did you do?
Thanks!
2007-03-27 16:02:17 · 7 answers · asked by elmo13595 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
The home inspector can do his job with stuff in the house - he's looking at A/C, furnace, roof, et al.
You can have an escrow account holdback until they vacate the house - maybe $2,000 - and then when they turn the keys over to you, you inspect the empty house, sign off on the escow, and then they get that additional money. Easiest wayt o handle surprises when you don't get the keys at closing.
2007-03-27 16:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think you can still get the house inspection done while people are living there. The person performing the inspection will be looking at the roof, insulation, pipes, basement, wiring, attic, sewer system etc. Generally most of these things can be viewed by moving things out and not causing too much of a disturbance.
Also you can put clauses in the contract such as stains, removal of fixtures, things that are to stay with the house and so on.
When I bought my house, I had certain items that I wanted to make sure were staying in the house and I put them in the contract. If they were not in the house when I got the keys, I could have not bought the house per my contract.
2007-03-27 23:09:53 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normally, your realtor will recommend one. However, an inspector who is recommended by your realtor will likely be more motivated to help the sale go through. *Maintaining an ongoing relationship with the realtor* So, things that may be important to you, but not 'major' may be deliberately overlooked.
Find an inspector on your own and you should get a more accurate inspection report.
Keep in mind however, that an inspector will not deliberately look for 'cosmetic' issues, such as carpet stains, unless you ask him to specifically do so.
Good luck :)
2007-03-27 23:13:36 · answer #3 · answered by lola_falula 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
inspectors vary greatly. the one we had as buyers was wonderful. the sellers were still in the home. we had to ask them to move some items that were obstructing the inspection (mostly in the garage) but otherwise, the stuff was no problem. I'm not positive on the stains. chances are, even if they're leasing back from you, they're going to have most of their stuff out, at lesat the big stuff. double check with you realtor
2007-03-27 23:09:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Home inspectors are part of the biggest scam in the nation.
2007-03-27 23:06:14 · answer #5 · answered by Reo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Walk through with the inspector and make sure that he or she is doing their job. You are paying them so don't feel rude.
2007-03-27 23:07:24 · answer #6 · answered by Tyrone Biggums 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Inspectors do it all the time.
2007-03-27 23:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by DavidNH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋