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By John R. Merlino Jr. Esq.
Founding Attorney

Selling, and buying, a home can be an emotional rollercoaster. The highs and lows and worries can really take you for a ride. When you finally get that offer on your house, you may be excited and relieved, but then worry may start to set in. The looming home inspection contingency clause that appears in the majority of real estate contracts may come to mind at this point. This provision provides the buyer the power to negotiate their offer, as well as request repairs, or rescind the offer altogether, depending on the home inspection report. Let’s take a look at some of the things that home inspectors are going to look for when inspecting your New York home.

What Do Home Inspectors Look for in New York?

A home inspection that comes back with absolutely no issues is a rare event indeed. You should prepare yourself for there to be a list of issues with the home as that is what happens in the vast majority of cases. The minor issues that come up in most inspections, however, are usually fairly easy to remedy and, while they may cause some delay in the home selling process, will not necessarily be deal breakers. Even some of the more substantial problems will end up not being deal breakers, although it can be stressful for both you and the buyer to learn of these things.

Home inspections are supposed to be incredibly detailed. Inspectors will thoroughly review property details looking for things that are not working right, are unsafe, nearing the end of their suggested period of use, and are just wearing down in general. The structural integrity will, of course, be a big part of the inspection process and the walls, ceilings, roof, floors, and foundation will be combed over for potential issues. Problems with the foundation of a home can create big problems and red flags for potential buyers. Left unrepaired, structural flaws can cause major damage to the home and serious safety concerns.

Plumbing and other home systems will also be included in the inspection. Inspections will look at drainage pipe materials as well as showers, sinks, toilets, faucets, and more. The inspection will not, however, usually involve a sewer inspection. Plumbing issues can also be more major problems reveals by the home inspection, particularly when it has led to water damage in the home. Water damage can cause big problems such as toxic mold costing a substantial amount of money to remove.

Other parts of a home inspection include exterior elements ranging from landscaping to fences, driveways, drainage, and doors. The roof, electrical, and appliances will be inspected as well. As previously stated, it is unlikely for your home inspection to come back clean. There is almost always something the inspector will note about a home that could be updated or repaired. Know that potential inspection “problems” will not necessarily be a deal-breaker. Oftentimes, they will only mean that you will need to make repairs on your home prior to sale, or you may want to offer the buyer credit on the sale. Sometimes, a buyer may even agree to purchase the home as-is.

Estate Planning Attorneys

At Merlino & Gonzalez, our team of real estate attorneys is here to help you navigate the home buying and selling process. This may be one of the biggest financial transactions of your life and we are here to protect your best interests every step of the way. Contact us today.

About the Author
John is a fierce advocate and the office guru for problem-solving and brainstorming. He guides clients through every stage of a real estate transaction from offer to contract, navigating through nerve-shattering home inspection and title clearance concerns, maintaining constant contact with lenders, conducting the actual closing, and continuing to advise clients with regard to any post-closing concerns.  John brings a practical and fair-minded approach to the process which has earned him the respect of his clients and peers.