When the home buyer is in the process of viewing inventory and deciding on the dream home of choice, often the eyes and the experience of other professionals are extremely valuable. It may be determined to use other help in evaluating the property and whether or not to make an offer. At other times, the offer may be made with the stipulation that it (the offer) is made and the obligation to purchase is subject to findings of an inspection.
While the state of Utah does not require an inspection at this time as part of the home buying process, it is a strong recommendation that such an event be considered, and in most cases, it should be part of the offer, even when the home is a new construction.
Buyers and their agents are usually focused on value and pricing to determine if the purchase makes sense financially. But when it comes to property condition, there may be elements of construction or workmanship that requires the eye and examination of a neutral third party professional trained and qualified to look for code compliance as well as quality of components or assemblage of construction and finish that will bring the acceptance the buyer is desiring and that will provide the long term satisfaction wanted.
The inspector may be someone with extensive "handy man" experience. Sometimes the inspector is a contractor possessing skills and competencies of building and knowing how things are supposed to be done.
The offer containing the provision for the inspection may be a threat to a seller, depending upon the quality of the property and its construction. The result of the inspection may be a deal killer, if the buyer is not satisfied with the findings. But in the final analysis, that is precisely the buyer's purpose for obtaining the inspection: to obtain facts and opinions to either provide comfort and confidence to move forward to consummation of the purchase or to cancel the offer and withdraw from the process for that particular property.
St. George REALTOR® Jim Coleman is Associate Broker and Partner/Owner of ERA Brokers Consolidated. He Specializes in Residential, Investment and Commercial Real Estate, holding National Designations of Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Resort and Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), International Property Specialist (CIPS), and Green Property Specialist (Green). You can contact him by e-mail at Jim@JimColeman4Homes.com. Call: (435) 674-0600; or write: Jim Coleman, 201 East St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah 84770. This and other columns are available at www.WinningTalk.com/articles.