INSPECTING
HOMES IN ANNE ARUNDEL
COUNTY MARYLAND
Home inspections can be very helpful when buying a home in Anne Arundel
County, particularly an older home and/or a home with an in-ground basement
foundation. The home inspection will tell you the general construction
methods of the house, the age and condition of the roof, structure,
windows; and the general condition of the systems such as the heating
system, cooling system; and the general condition of the appliances,
electrical and plumbing systems. Cosmetics are not a part of a home
inspection.
The home inspector cannot guarantee that nothing will fail after you
settle your purchase. Nor can we, your buyers agent. However, we can
protect you by a careful inspection of the home with particular attention
to material defects. A material defect is a defect that would negatively
impact the value or safety of a home.
Home Inspector
The resale home you buy, whether it is 5 years old or 55 years old,
may have systems that haven't been maintained as well as they should.
Those are the defects your home inspector will be testing for and looking
for.
A good home inspector will examine the house from top to bottom. Be
prepared for the home inspection to take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours
and cost approximately $1.25 per $1000 of sale price, depending on the
size and age of the house. We'll be there with you so that we can observe
any defects and prepare a HOME INSPECTION NOTICE to the seller advising
them of the defects that need repair or remediation.
Areas covered by a home inspection are:
Structure, Exterior, Interior, Mechanicals, Appliances, Plumbing, Electrical
What happens after the home inspection?
YOU MAY NOT WANT TO BUY THE HOME AFTER THE INSPECTION
If the home inspector finds serious problems such as structural defects,
you will have to make a decision as to whether or not to go through
with the purchase. If the home inspection shows defects that are repairable
or replaceable, your agent will write an addendum requesting the repairs
to be made by the seller prior to settlement. The seller may agree,
refuse or negotiate a cash settlement to compensate you for the defects
found.
You and your agent will decide on the best way to handle any defects
found. The important thing is that you are an EMPOWERED HOME BUYER when
you know the good AND the not so good about a home.
If you decide to forego the home inspection, we will accompany you
on a thorough walk-through of the house prior to settlement where every
appliance, system, light fixture, plumbing fixture will be tested. The
Anne Arundel County Contract of Sale protects you. Although homes in
Maryland are sold "as is", the contract also requires that
systems, mechanicals, appliances, be in operation condition. So, even
though you may not have the home inspection, you can still make sure
everything will "work" prior to
settlement.
Note: Some foreclosure sales are sold
not subject to the walk-through inspection. We'll help you to understand
this type of "as is" sale.
