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Should You Waive a Home Inspection

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 21 December 2021 13:57
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SHOULD YOU WAIVE A HOME INSPECTION?

  As a homebuyer in today's crazy real estate market, you may be tempted to wavie a home inspection in order to induce a seller to accept your offer.  It's definitely a thought.  But, before you do so, consider the following and weigh all your options.  

 WAIVING A HOME INSPECTION CAN BE RISKY

  A home inspection is just that - an inspection of a home you plan to buy.  Home inspectors are hired to give you an overview of the condition of the house.  Good or bad, at least you know what you're getting into.   Everything may be fine, or there may be problems with a house.  If you find out a home has issues and you decide to go ahead, that's okay.  That's your decision to make.

 ARE THE MAJOR SYSTEMS IN WORKING ORDER

 Home inspectors go over the major systems of a house, in addition to the normal things.  In Florida, the major systems include the roof, HVAC or air conditioners, plumbing, electrical and they look for any signs of mold.  They go over other things as well, but these are the major items that are the most costly to repair or replace.

 

 There are different types of roofs in south Florida including shingle, flat, concrete and S-tile.  Each roof is different.  Each roof has a different life span.  Each one has a different price, but all are costly to replace.  Are there roof tiles missing?  Any leaks?  How is the roof strapped down?  You need this information and more for insurance.  

 In south Florida, your air conditioner also controls your heat (not that we use it that often!)  Still, an air conditioner is a major expense.  You should at least know the age and condition of the unit or units in the house or condo.  That way, you can be prepared if they need to be replaced.

 Electrical is something many of us are familiar with, but there are some older homes that have outdated panels.  They may work, but getting insurance on a house with one of these panels can be problematic.   Just another expense.

 Plumbing is plumbing but there are things to know.  For example, I had one house that had two cold water lines coming into the kitchen and a mini water heater under my sink.  Why?  Because the plumbing is under a slab in south Florida, and the builder had brought in two cold water lines.  It was livable but it helps to know.

 Your home inspector should look for cracks in the foundation, rotted wood, leaks, pests check windows, etc.  And you should ask questions so you understand how things work.  

MOLD

 Mold is pretty common in South Florida because of the heat and humidity.  It's something we're keenly aware of.  There are different types of mold, some are worse than others.  Finding out if there is any mold may be huge to someone who it may make sick.  Inspectors do a visual test, but mold testing with air samples can be performed at a home inspection.  Results come from an independent lab.  

 POOL INSPECTION

 If the house you're looking at has a pool, a pool inspection is a good idea.  Is the pool heated?  Does the heater work?  We had one inspection where a wall was collapsing.   The buyers said, "we'll fix it."  They wanted the house and were willing to take it with the problem.  But at least they knew the problem they were facing!

 BUYER'S AGENT

 I've been a Buyer's Agent for 17 years.  Only once have I had someone waive an inspection, and that was because they told me they were gutting the house and didn't care.  

 I'm not telling you to waive the inspection. In fact, I think it's a bad idea to waive an inspection.  It's risky.   A lot things can turn up in a house - leaks, open permits, pests, mold, and so on.  Ultimately, it's your decision.  

 You may be okay with waiving a home inspection.  Perhaps you're a contractor or handy person or can spend what it takes to fix things.  

 FINAL THOUGHTS

 As a Buyer's Agent, do I think it's a good idea to waive a home inspection?  No, I really don't.  I think there are other things you can do to entice a seller to accept your offer.  A great Buyer's Agent can help you -  not the Listing Agent.  Simply stated, the listing agent works for the seller.  How can that possibly that help you?

 If you ultimately decide to waive a home inspection, then whatever problems exist, if any, become yours.   You inherit them.  That's really it.  

 Extremely low inventory and bidding wars have become the norm.  If you feel waiving an inspection is something you're comfortable with - and you have to be comfortable with it - then so be it.  It's okay.  Just know that you're buying a home without knowing a thing about it, except for what you see.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

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Elyse Berman, PA

When you’re moving to Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach or Highland Beach with furry family members, you need to work with an experienced, caring and committed REALTOR® who understands the challenges you face as a pet parent. You need Elyse Berman. After growing up in New York and working as a Court Reporter in a fast-paced judicial system, Elyse moved to Boca Raton in 1994. Her goal: to be close to the beach. With three kids and two dogs, her family settled in a pet-friendly gated community – but when the kids grew up and moved out, she decided it was time to live like she was on vacation every day in a place right on the beach. However, Elyse quickly learned that not all beachfront properties in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach are pet friendly. Some have confusing pet rules that change frequently – and some claim to be pet friendly but only allow birds and fish. Elyse’s addiction to research, fueled by her love of real estate, the law and her dogs, helped her discover her passion for helping people find pet-friendly homes in Boca Raton and the surrounding communities. (You can learn more about how and why Elyse became Boca Raton’s premier pet-friendly REALTOR here.) With an ever-evolving list of which condominiums and communities are pet friendly (as well as what restrictions they currently impose on buyers), Elyse is ready to help you find the perfect place to live in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach or Highland Beach. Her extensive knowledge of the local real estate market dates back to 1994; she’s seen new communities spring up, watched old communities become revitalized, and kept an eye on all the complexes, neighborhoods and subdivisions in the area for years. Call Elyse (561) 716-7824 Email Elyse Elyse@ElyseBerman.com She’s with you every step of the way, from your first tour of a home to closing (and beyond.) In fact, she stays in touch with many of the people whose homes she helped find – and she’s even sold those same homes decades later. She truly wants her clients to be happy, so she answers her phone and will never pass you off to a team member. Having made a cross-country move herself with a husband, three kids, two dogs and a business to run, Elyse knows all about the challenges you’re facing – and she can help you find a pet-friendly gated community in Boca Raton, a pet-friendly condo, a pet-friendly 55+ active adult community or anything else you’re looking for. Elyse loves dogs (well, all pets, actually) – and she makes it her business to keep up with the communities that accept furry family members. She personally wouldn’t move anywhere that wouldn’t allow her pets, and she won’t expect you to, either. She’ll never ask you to get rid of a pet or waste your time; she really understands what it’s like to have to find a place that’s suitable for all members of the family. No pets? No problem – Elyse also understands people who want to live in pet-free condos and neighborhoods. She can help you pinpoint all the best places to live. Elyse currently volunteers her time on the Professional Standards Committee (after having served on the Grievance Committee) for the Board of Realtors®, where she continues to learn. Serving on these committees is a lot like court reporting, which is why she loves it. Additionally, in order to better serve her clients, Elyse has attained the following designations along with membership in the following organizations: CRS – Council of Residential Specialists ABR – Accredited Buyer’s Representative GRI – Graduate Realtor’s Institute E-Pro – Internet Certified – Technology Certification Program C2EX – REALTORS® Commitment to Excellence Member National Association of REALTORS® Member Florida Realtors® Member Broward, Palm Beach & St. Lucie Realtors® 2018 – 2020 – Grievance Committee – Broward, Palm Beach & St. Lucie Realtors® 2021 – Present – Professional Standards – Broward, Palm Beach & St. Lucie Realtors®

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