Inspections Protect Real Estate Buyers by Art Gib

Home inspections are vitally important to the people buying homes that are for sale. A detailed property inspection is a homebuyers protection that everything inside a house works properly and that all electrical and plumbing is up to code and is not only functioning properly, but that it also is installed to specifications. For buyers of homes for sale in New Jersey the added protection of a home inspection means looking for damage that may be caused by insects.
Because many homes listed in the New Jersey real estate market are 40 years old and older, home inspectors are looking into the possibility of termite damage or other burrowing insects that may have entered the homes for sale in NJ. Home inspectors and pest control specialists estimate that 85 percent of the homes in New Jersey have an infestation of termites. While these numbers are conservative there are measures that a homebuyer can take before signing the final paperwork and purchasing a home.
Inspector look for damage to floor joists, rafters in the roof and foundations for signs of infestation then make recommendations based on those findings to the prospective buyer. If a home is in need of repair the inspector can estimate the costs of fixing damages and the homebuyer can negotiate with the home seller to pay for the needed repairs or discount the selling price of the home so that the buyer can cover the expenses themselves. In states like New Jersey where insects are an apparent problem homebuyers can ask for sellers to pay for professional exterminators to clear the property and if the damage is extensive have contractors replace what part of the home is in need of repair.
When buying any house it is important to have an inspector look through the property thoroughly. If the roof shingles are damaged or the attic shows signs of leaking the homebuyer has the option of backing out of the deal and continuing their search for houses for sale in New Jersey or again approaching the seller with a choice to pay for the new roof completely or make allowances to the price of the home.
Inspectors are tough on home sellers because they are working for the best interests of the homebuyers and because if something is overlooked they may held responsible for not disclosing the smallest detail of an inspection. The details covered by home inspectors may be so finite as to nitpick items like a burned out light bulb that should be replaced, and while the seller may be sweating at hearing the report the home buyer can be assured that the home they purchase will be well maintained and have everything working as it should when they move in.