What to expect when buying a home: the dreaded home inspection

Editors Note: This is the fourth installment of the "What to Expect When" series with Realtor Warren Frerichs of Realty Executives.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REALTY EXECUTIVES

Buyers who want a more worry-free home inspection might want to consider a condo or townhome. The unit owner is only responsible for their interior while the association handles the big things, like foundations, roofing, siding, and landscaping. This two-bedroom, two-bath condo is located in The Grande in Riverdale. The third-floor unit features low taxes, an open floor plan, center island kitchen, and spectacular views. It is listed for $295,000.

NORTH JERSEY You are almost ready to call your newfound love "home," but you have a few more monumental steps to go before you can carry yourself over the threshold. You must get through the dreaded, home inspection. Warren Frerichs of Realty Executives talks with Suburban Trends to discuss this next step in the buying process and how buyers can avoid snags along the way.

"OK, so you have a contract on your dream home, and you have cleared attorney review. Youre in the home stretch, right? Not so fast. You still have to get through the home inspection, arguably the most frightening part of the transaction for most people," explained Frerichs.

"Buyers, especially first-time buyers, have it particularly tough here. Remember that most of todays buyers did not grow up fixing houses, cars, or mini bikes. They grew up playing video games and soccer, neither of which require tools. So they will listen to their home inspector, literally hanging on every word, and looking for a clean bill of health. So who do they trust?" Frerichs said.

According to Frerichs, the real-estate industry "does not require Realtors to understand structural issues, plumbing, electrical, roofing, or any other aspect of the homes construction. Nor do they want us to because of potential liability that might shift to the Realtor, and their company, should a post-sale issue occur."

With that being said, most Realtors will "transfer that liability to the home inspector. The home inspector, in turn, has the buyer sign a pre-inspection agreement that they are not responsible for defects beyond the scope of their inspection."

So how do you know which home inspector to choose when you finally reach this step in the process?

Start by asking your attorney or Realtor who they recommend.

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What to expect when buying a home: the dreaded home inspection