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Home Buyer Tip | The Home Inspection 2016

November 5, 2015 By Doug Francis

Virginia home buyers understand caveat emtorReal estate is practiced differently from state to state, and it is critical for Virginia home buyers to understand that the Commonwealth believes in caveat emptor.

Latin for “let the buyer beware.”  A doctrine that often places on buyers the burden to reasonably examine property before purchase and take responsibility for its condition.  Especially applicable to items that are not covered under a strict warranty. —The Legal Information Institute

Although I have always recommended to my clients that a home inspection is essential, I will be recommending that more inspections get done during the inspection(s) period.

Did you notice that?

The old NVAR home inspection contingency had a specific focus about hiring a “professional home inspector,” and not Uncle Fred.

Today’s Addendum, with Caveat Emptor in mind, has been broadened to allow multiple licensed inspectors during the inspection(s) period as a way for a home buyer to hire any specialist if necessary. A good example is a chimney inspector or a termite inspector.

Here’s an actual example

Termite inspections are covered in the NVAR Residential Sales Contract in Paragraph 19, and states that a lender required WDI (wood destroying insect) Report needs to be within 30 days of the closing.

But, if you are really concerned about termites, then hiring a pest inspector to come out during the inspection(s) contingency period probably is a good idea. No harm done and you will know now if there is a potential issue… and it is totally fine to get this done during the inspection(s) period. Probably costing you about $50.

I exchanged emails recently with a Virginia homeowner who discovered extensive termite damage in his new (old) house. He had Googled the topic and landed on a termite inspired blog post that I wrote a couple of years ago.

He was asking for help because someone had missed the obvious termite damage.

So, I recommended looking through his files since his lender would have required a WDI Report from a licensed pest inspection firm.

His response was shocking…

He had purchased the home with cash, which means there isn’t a loan and therefore it wasn’t a lender requirement. And, he had assumed that the listing agent was taking care of it. The agent, who was working for the seller, responded that she just didn’t do it.

There are multiple mistakes that were made by this home buyer:

  1. In 1990’s, the Commonwealth of Virginia defined buyer agency and this buyer did not have his own agent.
  2. He assumed the Seller’s agent would take care of the inspection, when that was not her duty to the buyer.
  3. He did not understand the implications of Caveat Emptor.

(If you want to learn all of the Virginia Real Estate Regulations (11/1/2015) then go ahead.)

In my opinion, this buyer really has a tough road ahead of him especially if he wants to claim that the seller had actual knowledge of extensive termite damage. Since termites leave tubes and tunnels that are visible to a trained eye, he appears to have neglected his responsibilities to hire a licensed professional and protect himself.

This real life example may be rather sobering to you. My point is that having a “buyer’s agent” to give you strategic advice is especially important in Virginia where it is the buyer’s responsibility to be satisfied with the condition of the property or community.

Want another example? Your due diligence is required with publicly available information like the Sex Offender Registry ~ http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/

Plan ahead to pay for specific real estate inspections

My new recommendations for 2016 will be to have an inspection period of 10 days. And recommending, during that period, to have a professional home inspector come out asap, have a check for termites, test for radon gas, add any additional inspections if deemed necessary, apply for the new homeowners insurance policy, and submit the “ratified contract” to the title company for a title search.

There is a lot to do in a short period to cover yourself as a smart home buyer in Virginia in 2016.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Buyer Tips, real estate

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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